Tulane thumps FAU in AAC tourney opener

CROWN HIM, @GreenWaveBSB 👑#AmericanBSB x @RegionsBank pic.twitter.com/cGZJq0LnZh

— The American (@American_Conf) May 22, 2024

CLEARWATER – Third-seeded Tulane exploded for 13 of its 14 runs in the first four innings and rolled to a 14-2 run-rule victory over sixth-seeded Florida Atlantic Tuesday evening on the first day of action at the 2024 American Athletic Conference Tournament at BayCare Ballpark.

The Green Wave (32-24), winners of six of its last seven games, will play seventh-seeded Charlotte (24-32) on Thursday at approximately 4:45 p.m. ET/3:45 CT (or 47 minutes following the conclusion of Game 7 between Wichita State and East Carolina). The 49ers outlasted second-seeded UTSA (32-23) 9-5 in 12 innings on Tuesday.

The Owls (26-28) will play the Roadrunners in a Wednesday elimination game at approximately 4:45 p.m. ET/3:35 CT (or 47 minutes following the conclusion of Game 3 between UAB and Rice).

Tulane second baseman Connor Rasmussen smashed a leadoff homer and left fielder Jackson Linn drilled a fourth-inning grand slam for the team’s 81st and 82nd homers of the season. Linn’s round-tripper was his 13th of the season and tied center fielder Teo Banks for the team lead.

Rasmussen’s third-inning RBI double down the right field line was his 14th of 2024 and tied Banks in that category as well.

Designated hitter Michael Lombardi scored three times and catcher Colin Tuft doubled, tripled and knocked in three runs.

It was sweet revenge for a Green Wave squad that was shutout by Tuesday’s FAU starter C.J. Williams (5-5) back in April. The Owls’ right-hander found the going far more rocky in Clearwater, begin tagged for seven runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk in two and two-thirds innings.

All of the offense was way more than enough for Tulane starter Chandler Welch (7-3). The Green Wave right-hander allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits with 10 strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work. Reliever Henry Shuffler continued the solid work on the mound with five Ks in the sixth and seventh innings, giving up three hits.

FAU left fielder Jalen DeBose doubled in a run in the fifth inning and scored the other tally on a Tulane throwing error.

NOTES
This was Tulane’s fourth run-rule victory in the past four tournaments … Welch’s 10 strikeouts tied a career-high … Banks is hitting .477 (21-for-44) in his 10 career AAC Tournament games.

DOWNLOAD THE APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.