2024 AAC Baseball Championship Capsule
Florida Atlantic Baseball will participate in their first AAC Championship on Tuesday night at 7:30 PM when taking the field against Tulane in game four of the day's action in Clearwater, Florida.
FAU arrives in Clearwater with a 12-15 record in AAC Championship play (26-27 overall) and will be seeded 6th.
The Owls lost two out of three against the Green Wave in April, losing the last two games despite leading for most of those outings. Tulane wound up winning the scoring battle 17-13 for the entire series.
Starting for FAU on Tuesday will be CJ Williams (5-4, 3.39 ERA), who earned Second Team honors from The American this past Monday. Williams (pictured below) pitched his first complete game for FAU against Tulane, striking out five and allowing no earned runs in a 5-0 shutout victory, the program's first complete game shutout since 2016.
Tulane will counter with Chandler Welch (6-3, 4.58 ERA), who allowed three runs over six innings in the team's win over FAU on April 20.
This game marks the first tournament meeting between Florida Atlantic and Tulane. It’s also the first year the two teams have played each other in baseball, adding a unique element to the matchup.
FAU's tournament path includes potential matchups against teams that defeated them in their season series. If both FAU and UTSA win or lose their respective games, they could face each other in the next round; UTSA won two out of three games against FAU in the last series of conference play.
A showdown with regular season champions East Carolina, who also beat FAU 2-1 in their series, is possible in the championship game. Avenging these series losses against teams who finished in the top two of the standings would serve as additional motivation for the Owls.
Key players for FAU include seniors Christian Adams and Jalen DeBose, and junior John Schroeder. Adams boasts a .333 batting average, a .456 on-base percentage, a .518 slugging percentage, 65 hits, 49 runs, 39 walks, and eight home runs. DeBose contributed to the Owls' offense with 41 hits and 28 RBIs, while Schroeder led the team with 46 RBIs and nine home runs.
Freshman infielder Emilio Gonzalez, junior outfielder Carter Brady, and senior outfielder Spencer Rich are other potential contributors. Gonzalez, an All-Freshman honoree, had the second-most RBIs on the team with 38. Brady added 30 RBIs and eight home runs, and Rich excelled in base stealing, successfully completing 17 out of 20 attempts.
FAU's bullpen will be crucial for a deep tournament run. Closer Danny Trehey leads with seven saves, a 1.91 ERA, and 64 strikeouts in 42.1 innings. Other key pitchers include Trey Beard, Tyler Murphy, Sam Drumheller, and Steven Andrews, who will play significant roles as starters or relievers to help contain opposing offenses.
This year's AAC Championship tournament features the top eight teams in regular-season league play. The format is two double-elimination brackets, with four teams each, and the winners of each bracket will meet in a single-elimination championship game. Tulane is the defending champion, and East Carolina enters this tournament as the top seed after winning the regular season title.
The tournament is set to begin at 9:00 AM EST on Tuesday with No. 5 seed UAB facing No. 4 seed Wichita State. The Blazers secured the fifth seed by winning four of their last six games. The Shockers, having won seven of their last eight games—including a seven-game winning streak—aim to continue their momentum after going 2-1 against UAB in their series matchup.
In the second game, No. 1 seed East Carolina will take on No. 8 seed Rice. The Pirates, winners of the AAC regular season title for the fifth straight year, dominated the Owls with a 29-11 scoring advantage in a three-game sweep to conclude conference play. Despite losing four of their last six AAC games, Rice clinched the final tournament spot after USF fell short by losing two out of three to UAB.
The 4:00 PM game features No. 3 seed UTSA against No. 7 seed Charlotte. The Roadrunners had a strong first season in the AAC with a 32-22 record (17-10 AAC) and won their April series against the 49ers 2-1. Meanwhile, Charlotte secured the second-to-last tournament spot, managing one win in their final series against Tulane.
The 2024 AAC Championship Game will be played on Sunday, May 26th at noon and will be nationally-televised by ESPNEWS, while all other games will be available on ESPN+.
Below is the currently available slate for the full five days of action in Houston.
Game Schedule - Eastern Standard Times
Tuesday, May 21
Game 1: No. 5 UAB 2 vs. No. 4 Wichita State 8
Game 2: No. 8 Rice 4 vs. No. 1 East Carolina 12
Game 3: No. 7 Charlotte 9 vs. No. 2 UTSA 5
Game 4: No. 6 Florida Atlantic 2 vs. No. 3 Tulane 14
Wednesday, May 22
Game 5: No. 5 UAB 0 vs. No. 8 Rice 9
Game 6: No. 2 UTSA 5 vs. No. 6 Florida Atlantic 12
Thursday, May 23
Game 7: No. 4 Wichita State 14 vs. No. 1 East Carolina 4
Game 8: No. 7 Charlotte 5 vs. No. 3 Tulane 7
Friday, May 24
Game 9: No. 1 East Carolina 8 vs. No. 8 Rice 7
Game 10: No. 7 Charlotte 8 vs. No. 6 Florida Atlantic 10
Saturday, May 25
Game 11: No. 4 Wichita State 4 vs. No. 1 East Carolina 5
Game 12: No. 3 Tulane 13 vs. No. 6 Florida Atlantic 1
Game 13: No. 4 Wichita State 12 vs. No. 1 East Carolina 2
Sunday, May 26
Game 14: No. 3 Tulane 11 vs. No. 4 Wichita State 10
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Wichita State 8, UAB 2
Fourth-seeded Wichita State defeated No. 5 seed UAB, 8-2, in the first game of the 2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions.
With the win, Wichita State (30-27) advances to the winner’s bracket and will take on the winner of East Carolina and Rice on Thursday, May 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. UAB (26-28) will play in an elimination game and take on the loser of the Pirates and Owls Wednesday, May 22, at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
The Shockers scored three in the second inning on a fielder’s choice, a bases loaded walk and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch before adding an unearned run in the fourth. After UAB got on the board in the top of the seventh, Josh Livingston and Seth Stroh both hit 2-run home runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Wichita State starter Caden Favors (9-4), a first-team all-conference selection, struck out seven while giving up one run in 6.1 innings of work.
Collin Daniel (7-4) took the loss for UAB, allowing six runs (three earned) in 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts.
Looking forward to you sending me a pic or two if you can get close enough to the dugout:
[email protected]
You can text to e-mail…just text it to that address
East Carolina 12, Rice 4
Top-seeded East Carolina exploded for a Championship-record 12 runs in the eighth inning on the way to a 12-4 come-from-behind victory over No. 8 seed Rice in the second game of the 2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions on Tuesday afternoon, May 21 at BayCare Ballpark.
With the win, East Carolina (41-13) advances to the winner’s bracket and will take Wichita State on Thursday, May 23 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. Rice (22-35) will play in an elimination game and take on UAB on Wednesday, May 22, at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
Down 4-0 in the eighth, Carter Cunningham started the scoring barrage when he singled home Joey Berini before Ryley Johnson scored on a grounder by Jacob Jenkins-Cowart to cut the lead to two. Cunningham came home on a check swing single by Dixon Williams before Justin Wilcoxen singled to score Jacob Starling to tie the contest.
The Pirates took the lead on an RBI single by Luke Nowak and then Berini hit a second ball of the inning to right field that was lost in the sun to score another run. Johnson hit a 3-run triple to right-center field before scoring on a wild pitch, while Starling hit a 2-run home run to right field to close out the scoring.
Colby Wallace (1-0) earned the win for the Pirates, pitching a scoreless eighth inning. ECU starter Ethan Norby pitched five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) with three strikeouts.
Rice’s JD McCracken pitched six scoreless innings with four strikeouts while scattering a pair of hits. Kyte McDonald hit a triple, single and double in his first three at-bats, scoring twice.
HATE being in the last slot for the day for tournaments…
Charlotte 9, UTSA 5
No. 7 seed Charlotte used a pair of 4-run innings and needed 12 innings to defeat No. 2 seed UTSA, 9-5, in the third game of the 2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions on Tuesday afternoon, May 21 at BayCare Ballpark.
It was the eighth game in Championship history to go to extra innings and was the second-longest game by innings, next to a 13-inning contest between East Carolina and UCF in 2023.
With the win, the 49ers (24-32) advance to the winner’s bracket and will face the winner of Tulane and Florida Atlantic on Thursday, May 23, 47 minutes after the East Carolina/Wichita State game at 1 p.m. Eastern. UTSA (32-23) will take on the loser between the Green Wave and the Owls on Wednesday, May 22, 47 minutes after the UAB/Rice game at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Tied 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Charlotte struck for four runs on a Dante DeFranco RBI double that was followed by a 3-run home run to right center by Kaden Hopson.
The Roadrunners came back with four in the bottom of the eighth inning on RBI doubles by Isaiah Walker and Alexander Olivo, along with a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.
UTSA loaded the bases with one out in both the 10th and 11th innings, but both times the 49ers got out of the jams. In the top of the 12th, Thad Ector singled and advanced to second on an error before scoring on an RBI single by Brandon Stahlman. Carson Bayne stepped up and launched a 3-run home run to deep left to give the 49ers a 9-5 lead.
Joseph Taylor (3-4) earned the win, pitching the last two innings without allowing a run. Starter Cole Reynolds allowed one run in 5.1 innings with five strikeouts.
Daniel Garza (4-3) took the loss for UTSA, allowing four runs (three earned) in four innings of relief. Roadrunner starter Braylon Owens gave up one run in five innings with four strikeouts.
The FAU starters facing Tulane for our late-night duel to end the first round of the AAC Tournament!
LF Jalen DeBose
3B Daulton Frank
RF John Schroeder
2B Christian Adams
DH Carter Brady
C Andrew McKenna
SS Brando Leroux
1B Emilio Gonzalez
CF Spencer Rich
P CJ Williams
LET'S GO, OWLS!
To a 0-3 deficit!
Top 3rd: FAU 0, Tulane 3
I texted them 45 mins ago. 😂
Top 5th: FAU 0, Tulane 13
Top 6th: FAU 2, Tulane 14
UPDATED SCHEDULE
FAU will be pushed back closer to 5:00 PM.
Fine with me!
Rice 9, UAB 0
Jack Riedel hit two home runs and three pitchers combined for a shutout as No. 8 seed Rice defeated No. 5 seed UAB, 9-0, in an elimination game at the 2024 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions on Wednesday afternoon, May 22 at BayCare Ballpark.
With the win, Rice (23-35) advances to play the loser between Wichita State and East Carolina on Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. UAB finishes the season with a record of 26-29.
Parker Smith (5-5) struck out eight batters in 6.2 innings while scattering six hits before Garrett Stratton came on in relief and pitched 2.0 scoreless innings before Mark Perkins came on and recorded the final out.
Riedel opened the scoring for Rice with a solo home run in the top of the second inning, his league-leading 16th of the season. The Owls added a run in the third on a double play and a run in the fourth on an error.
Kyte McDonald drove home Jacob Devenny in the seventh to push the lead to 4-0 for Rice. The Owls added three more in the top of the eighth on a sac fly by Manny Garza and a 2-run double by Max Johnson, while Riedel hit his second home run of the day in the ninth inning, a 2-run shot to left.
First-team all-conference selection Blayze Berry (9-3) allowed four runs (three earned) in 6.1 innings of work for the Blazers.
What: (6) Florida Atlantic vs. (2) UTSA
When: Wed, May 22nd at 4:55 PM
Where: Clearwater, FL | BayCare Ballpark
Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: Here
Projected Pitchers:
FAU - LHP Trey Beard (3-3, 4.77 ERA)
Rice - RHP Ulises Quiroga (8-1, 3.59 ERA)
LF Jalen DeBose
3B Daulton Frank
C John Schroeder
2B Christian Adams
RF Jake Millan
SS Brando Leroux
1B Emilio Gonzalez
DH Joey Slattery
CF Spencer Rich
P Trey Beard
KEEP THE SEASON ALIVE, FAU!
Top 4th: FAU 1, UTSA 3
Top 8th: FAU 10, UTSA 3