Tigers On Tap

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of Houston looks to build on its opening victory in the TicketSmarter American Athletic Conference Championship when it faces No. 7 seed Memphis in the second round Thursday afternoon from BayCare Ballpark.

First pitch is scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. CT or 47 minutes following the conclusion of the noon CT opener. The No. 3 seed Cougars (35-22) are 4-1 all-time against Memphis (26-27) at the event. The Tigers are fresh off a 7-6 upset of No. 2 seed UCF, marking the second straight season the program knocked off a top-two seed in their opener.

The Cougars taxed No. 6 seed Wichita State for 15 hits and received stellar relief pitching from junior José Torrealba as part of a 10-7 victory against Wichita State on Tuesday night. Houston's 10 runs were the most in an American Championship game since May 24, 2018 (18 runs against Tulane). It marked the sixth time in the Cougars' 26-game American Championship history that the program had produced double-digit runs.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Game 2: Live Stats • Live Audio • ESPN+
Houston Notes • Championship Central • Bracket

NEED TO KNOW
Houston took 2 of 3 from Memphis during the regular season (April 22-24) at Schroeder Park. The Tigers scored four times with two outs in the ninth inning to secure the opener, 11-9. In Game 2, Houston redshirt sophomore Anthony Tulimero struck a walk-off home run. A grand slam from senior Ryan Hernandez and strong start from junior Nathan Medrano helped Houston to a 7-5 series-clinching win in the finale.

The Cougars' offense surged in Tuesday's opening victory. Houston batted .615 (8 for 13) with runners aboard and .500 (5 for 10) with runners in scoring position. Eight players combined to produce 15 hits with Hernandez and graduate Santiago Garcia combining to go 6 for 7 with six RBIs and three runs.

In his first nine appearances of the season (Feb. 18-April 5), Torrealba posted a 10.50 ERA, allowing 14 runs on 20 hits in 12.0 innings with a 12-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Since that time, the southpaw has turned in 12.2 scoreless frames, holding opponents to five hits and a .116 average alongside a 17-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in eight appearances.

UP NEXT
The winner of Houston and Memphis returns to action Saturday afternoon, needing just one win to lock up a spot in the American Baseball Championship game. The loser will face the winner of Wichita State and UCF in an elimination game Friday afternoon.

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Players Mentioned

Santiago Garcia

Ryan Hernandez

Nathan Medrano

Anthony Tulimero