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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 21, 2001
Tulane routs USF to win title
METAIRIE, La. -- South Florida's Conference USA tournament title hopes ended when Tulane scored eight runs in the fourth inning on the way to a 21-4 victory Sunday afternoon. The Bulls can only hope their season did not end as well.
The Green Wave earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. USF's post-season fate is in the hands of the tournament selection committee. At least one C-USA team has earned an at-large bid to the tournament in each of the league's first five seasons and USF (32-29) appears to have the only chance at a bid.
"Making it to the title game, I think we have a shot," USF coach Eddie Cardieri said. "Our RPI is pretty good and we've had a lot of wins against ranked teams. Our overall record is not what it needs to be but we have a shot."
Tulane took a 1-0 lead in the first. Bill Nahorodny tied it in the third, leading off with his seventh home run, and run-scoring singles by Chris Cuccia and Kris Courier made it 3-1.
But the Green Wave sent 12 to the plate in the fourth. The first seven singled, the eighth walked and Tulane used an error, a passed ball and a double to score eight. USF starter John Vigue got the loss, giving up seven hits and six runs in three innings.
Tulane right-hander Barth Melius, who had one victory and two saves, was tournament MVP.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: FSU outfielder John-Ford Griffin and catcher Tony Richie made the team. Wake Forest reliever Dave Bush was named MVP, with two saves and a win in four appearances.
MIAMI 11, N.Y. TECH 1: Kevin Howard drove in four runs and five pitchers combined on a five-hitter as the Hurricanes completed the regular season with an 11-1 home victory over New York Tech, completing a three-game sweep.