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By TOM ZEBOLD

USF Senior Writer

CLEARWATER, MAY 21, 2015 – Fourth-seeded USF will look to keep its American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship run going Friday after falling to top-seeded Houston, 7-3, Thursday afternoon at Bright House Field.

USF (33-23-1) will meet back up with fifth-seeded Memphis 11 a.m. Friday in an elimination game. That game can be seen on the American Digital Network. The Bulls defeated the Tigers, 10-6, in the opening game of the conference tournament on Tuesday.

“I think we're going to respond well,” assistant coach Mike Current said. “I think we've shown all year that we're going to fight. That's one thing you can say about this team is we're going to compete and I have no doubt we'll do that tomorrow.”

Thursday's loss spoiled a quality start by right-hander Ryan Valdes, who pitched his best game as a Bull against Houston (41-17). The junior from Tampa struck out a career-high seven batters and gave up two earned runs on three hits in six innings.

“He pitched well and he gave us a chance,” Current said. “It was a 0-0 game going into the sixth inning and he did exactly what he needed to do. He went out and competed.”

Valdes (5-3) cruised through the first five innings, striking out seven and scattering two hits, before the Cougars rallied to score two runs in the sixth. Houston had runners on first and second with two outs when Corey Julks sent both runners home with a double down the line in left field.

“(Ryan) unfortunately hung a slider and that guy executed. That's how it goes sometimes,” Current said.

The Bulls cut their deficit to 2-1 in the bottom half of the sixth thanks to the quickness of Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.). Austin Lueck (Daytona, Fla.) hit a one-out single and advanced to third on a single by Kyle Teaf (Tallahassee). That set the stage for Merrell, who grounded into a fielder's choice and beat the throw to first as Lueck crossed the plate.

Valdes exited after the sixth inning and Houston seized the momentum by putting together a fourth-run seventh frame. Ashford Fulmer hit an RBI single with one out and scored on a wild pitch with two outs. Jacob Campbell followed with a two-run double to right-center field to give Houston a 6-1 advantage.

Houston lengthened its lead to 7-1 with a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Fulmer in the eighth inning. The Cougars extended their winning streak to seven games and will face the USF-Memphis winner Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Bulls chipped away at their deficit with a two-run eighth after loading the bases to start the inning. Luke Borders (Winter Haven, Fla.) scored on a sacrifice fly by Lueck and Teaf drove in Zac Gilcrease (Tampa) with a sacrifice fly.

Senior right-hander Casey Mulholland (Bradenton, Fla.) will get the start against Memphis on Friday. Tickets for the game are $8 for adults and $6 for students, seniors, children and military members. Purchase tickets at the Bright House Field ticket office or watch the game online on the American Digital Network.

“We need to get another pitching performance out of Casey like we did out of Ryan today, and if we do that I think we'll have a chance to win,” Current said.