PEARL — After this week’s Conference USA Tournament, UAB pitcher Michael Busby took home a win, a big save and an MVP trophy.

The former Porters Chapel Academy star got the final eight outs for UAB to close out a 5-0 win over Memphis in the Conference USA championship game Sunday afternoon at Trustmark Park. The title is the UAB’s first C-USA championship and represents the school’s first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1991.

Busby was brilliant in relief of starter Ryan Nance, a teammate from Hinds Community College’s MACJC 2010 state title team. He entered the game with the Blazers (32-28) up 3-0, but Memphis had loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning

It was a huge spot, but Busby delivered, getting two strikeouts to snuff the Tigers’ best threat in the game.

“It was do or die, but I was glad they gave me the call,” Busby said. “Nance had pitched great and I needed to back him up.”

Busby quickly got in a 3-1 hole against Tiger leadoff hiter Ethan Gross. But two low fastballs were enough to strike out the Tigers’ leadoff hitter for a crucial second out.

“I felt like I couldn’t afford to get behind, but I got behind him 3-1,” Busby said. “I got it to 3-2 and then he chased a ball down and away. (Jacob) Wilson was up next and I knew he’s been their guy.”

Busby sat him down on three straight pitches, getting a called third strike on a backdoor fastball.

“I freezed him on a backdoor two-seamer,” Busby said. “It felt great to get out of it, but I knew we still had six more outs to get.”

UAB coach Brian Shoop had confidence his ace would get it done.

“Our guys rally around him, because he’s a great senior leader,” Shoop said.

Busby gave up a one-out hit to Memphis’ Eli Hines. He came back with a groundball for a forceout at second base and then got another groundball to end the inning.

Up 5-0 in the ninth, he allowed a leadoff walk, but a 4-6-3 double play put the Blazers an out away. Busby got it by inducing a groundout from Keaton Aldridge.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime deal,” Busby said, who got a win against No 2 seed Centra. Florida on Thursday at Trustmark. “It was a great feeling to walk off that mound here before family and friends a Conference USA champion.”

Nance, the normal UAB closer, went 61⁄3 innings to grab the win. He, too, had confidence in Busby.

“I couldn’t be happier to see him close it out,” Nance said. “He’s had such bad luck as a pitcher in college. At Hinds, he never pitched, but today, I knew he could handle the pressure of the situation.”

Busby played exclusively at first base as Hinds won the MACJC title under coach Sam Temple. He left Mississippi State the year before following a second surgery on his pitching arm.

In 2006, he overcame his first arm surgery to lead PCA to the MPSA Class A title.

Now, the Blazers will head to one of the 16 designated host sites that were released Sunday by the NCAA Tournament committee. Rice, which was beaten 4-2 Saturday night by Southern Miss, was the only Conference USA team awarded a regional host role.