CLEARWATER, Florida – Behind a strong outing from Jace Kaminska, Wichita State defeated Houston, 5-3, in an elimination game at the 2021 American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship Thursday, May 26 at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.
Kaminska (8-1), The American’s Newcomer Pitcher of the Year, allowed just three hits and one run in 8.1 innings. The freshman right-hander had six strikeouts and faced the minimum number of batters through seven innings. Paxton Wallace led the Shocker offense with two hits, two runs scored and two runs driven in.
Jaycob Deese (2-7) struck out eight in 6.1 innings with two earned runs, but took the loss for the Cougars (19-34).
With the win, Wichita State (31-22) advances to face the loser of South Florida and Tulane on Friday, May 28. The Bulls and Green Wave play Thursday, May 27.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ross Cadena singled to open the inning and Paxton Wallace followed with his 11th home run of the season into the bullpens in left field.
The Shockers added insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Wallace walked before Hunter Gibson launched a 2-run shot to left field, his sixth of the season. Later in the inning, Couper Cornblum singled home Corrigan Bartlett to push the lead to 5-0.
The Cougars rallied for three in the top of the ninth, starting with a solo home run by Kyle Lovelace. Tyler Bielamowicz singled home Brad Burckel before Ryan Hernandez drove home Steven Rivas on a sacrifice fly to conclude the scoring.
Championship Schedule
Tuesday, May 25 | ESPN+
Game 1: No. 5 UCF 14, No. 4 Cincinnati 10
Game 2: No. 8 Memphis 11, No. 1 East Carolina 1 (7 innings)
Game 3: No. 2 Tulane 4, No. 7 Houston 1
Game 4: No. 6 South Florida 7, No. 3 Wichita State 2
Wednesday, May 26 | ESPN+
Game 5: East Carolina 13, Cincinnati 9 (Cincinnati eliminated)
Game 6: Wichita State 5, Houston 3 (Houston eliminated)
Thursday, May 27 | ESPN+
Game 7: Memphis vs. UCF | 3 p.m.
Game 8: South Florida vs. Tulane | 47 minutes following Game 7
Friday, May 28 | ESPN+
Game 9: Loser of Game 7 vs. East Carolina | 1 p.m.
Game 10: Wichita State vs. Loser of Game 8 | 47 minutes following Game 9
Saturday, May 29 | ESPN+
Game 11: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 9 | 9 a.m.
Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 10 | 47 minutes following Game 11
Game 13 (if necessary): Loser of Game 11 vs. Winner of Game 11 | TBD
Game 14 (if necessary): Loser of Game 12 vs. Winner of Game 12 | TBD
Sunday, May 30 | ESPNews
Game 15: Semifinal winners | Noon
