The biggest strikeouts for the Tulane baseball team Friday came with runners on base.
The Green Wave opened to a five-run lead after one inning but still needed key strikeouts from starter Kaleb Roper and relievers Chase Solesky and Connor Pellerin to secure a 5-3 victory against Cincinnati.
Cincinnati was the only school picked to finish below Tulane in a preseason poll of American Athletic Conference coaches. The game Friday was the first in conference play.
Tulane (10-13, 1-0 AAC) led 5-0 after one inning, and Cincinnati (9-11, 0-1 AAC) twice put potential tying runners on base.