MIAMI, Fla. -- George Cox’s one-out ground ball to third with the bases loaded scored Bo Hall with the go-ahead run as UCF pulled off a 5-4 come from behind win over Florida International at University Park Friday night.
Relief pitcher Nick Whidden (1-0) threw three scoreless innings in relief of starting pitcher Lincoln Mincks to earn the win. Whidden, a transfer from Florida State retired the first eight batters he faced before walking Alex Ansoleaga with one out in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Hector Penate hit Whidden’s first pitch to second base to begin the game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
UCF (1-0) began the scoring in the second inning when Adam Miller pulverized Andrew Edwards first offering over the left-centerfield scoreboard.
Florida International (0-1) retailed as Brad Eldred copied Miller’s feat with the same shot off Mincks in the bottom of the second.
The Golden Panthers would score two more runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Ansoleaga drove a ground ball up the middle scoring Tommy Duenas and Bernie Gonzalez. Daniel Bustamente hit a solo home run in the third inning to put FIU up 4-1.
Mincks gained his composure after the Florida International scoring and did not let a runner past second base in his final 3.2 innings before he hit a 75 pitch count with two outs in the sixth inning, yielding to Whidden.
The Golden Knights struck for three runs with two-outs in the top of the fifth. Ty Hanson began the rally with a two-out single to left field. Jeremy Frost drew a walk and Cox reached on a fielding error by Skip Adams. Wayne Summers belted a bases-clearing double to the right-centerfield gap to tie the game at 4-4.
The Golden Knights and Golden Panthers will complete their two-game tilt tomorrow afternoon at University Park. Game time is 1:00 p.m. Starting pitchers will be Mark Michael (2-3, 5.60 ERA) for UCF and Michael Baluja (3-2, 4.00 ERA) for FIU.
Golden Knights Manufacture Opening Day Win Over Florida International, 5-4
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