CLEARWATER, Fla. – Charlotte’s Blake Gillespie struck out 13 and No. 2 Charlotte defeated No. 7 Wichita State on Tuesday, May 20, at the 2025 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla.
With the win, the 49ers (36-20) will play against the winner of South Florida and East Carolina on Thursday, May 22 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. The Shockers (20-35) will play the loser of the Bulls and Pirates in an elimination game on Wednesday, May 21 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
Gillespie, the 2025 American Pitcher of the Year, set the single-game Championship record with 13 strikeouts, breaking the previous record held by Jack Jasiak for South Florida against Tulane in 2021.