TCU used a four-run fourth inning and five-run fifth inning to put its semifinal contest with Southern Miss out of reach as the Horned Frogs moved on to Sunday's championship game of the Conference USA Tournament with a 13-7 victory. Keith Conlon and Shelby Ford led a 16-hit Frog offensive effort with three hits a piece, while Bo Cogbill and Spencer Jackson each had two hits and a team-high three RBI. Jackson belted his first career home run and also had a two-run single. The Frogs are the reigning C-USA Tournament champions.

For the sixth time in Conference USA's 10 years, Tulane has advanced to the championship game of the C-USA Tournament game. Nathan Southard became just the second player in Conference USA Tournament history to hit three home runs in a game and Brad Emaus hit a grand slam as the Green Wave defeated Houston, 10-1. Micah Owings struck ut nine without walking a batter in seven innings of work on the mound for Tulane.

The championship game of the tournament on Sunday, May 29 will be televised by affiliates of the Conference USA Television Network and CSTV: College Sports Television. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

DAY FOUR TOURNAMENT NOTABLES
Tulane has reached the championship game for the sixth time in Conference USA’s first 10 seasons. The Green Wave are 4-1 all-time in championship games, including a 2-0 victory over South Florida the last time the championship was in Hattiesburg (1996).

TCU has tied the record for most consecutive victories in the Conference USA tournament with eight. The Horned Frogs won five straight games to win last year’s title and three in a row to get to Sunday’s championship game. Tulane won eight straight games in 1998 and 1999 when it won back-to-back tournament titles.

Tulane’s Nathan Southard became just the second player in C-USA Tournament history to hit three home runs in a game. Jeff Bell of UAB hit three in the 1996 tournament in Hattiesburg.

TCU’s win allowed it to set a new school record for victories in a season with 40. Last year’s team established the record with 39 victories.

Saturday’s win was the 50th this season by Tulane, making the Green Wave just the third team to win 50 games in a season in C-USA history. The 2001 Tulane team holds the record with 56, while the 2004 East Carolina team won 51.


2005 Conference USA Baseball Tournament
Presented by POWERade
(Hattiesburg, Miss.)

Wed., May 25
Game One
(4) East Carolina 6, (5) Houston 5
Game Two
(1) Tulane 8, (8) UAB 6
Game Three
(2) TCU 4, (7) Louisville 2
Game Four
(3) Southern Miss 5, (6) USF 3

Thu., May 26
Game Five
Houston 7, UAB 5
Game Six
USF 11, Louisville 1
Game Seven
Tulane 16, East Carolina 3
Game Eight
TCU 8, Southern Miss 0

Fri., May 27
Houston 6, East Carolina 4
Southern Miss 9, USF 3

Sat., May 28
Game Eleven
Tulane 10, Houston 1
Game Twelve
TCU 13, Southern Miss 7

Sun., May 29
Championship Game
TCU vs. Tulane
C-USA Television Network/CSTV 1:00p