The Huskies arrived in Tampa, Fla., to play South Florida, and Kay (9-2, 2.46 ERA), who has pitched 113 innings this season, normally with a full week between starts, told pitching coach Josh McDonald, "I'm pitching Thursday [against USF], I'm pitching Tuesday and I'm pitching Sunday." It sounded fine, but when the Huskies got the third seed in the AAC Tournament, it meant they'd be starting Wednesday instead of Tuesday. Kay beat Memphis with a complete-game effort, throwing 101 pitches in the tournament opener. He offered to pitch Saturday, on two day's rest, but that was too much. Pender thought about starting someone else and using Kay in relief on Sunday, but Kay convinced him he was good to go.