ORLANDO -- David Mann reached base all seven times he stepped to plate on Saturday afternoon as he helped lead UCF to its third Atlantic Sun sweep of the season with a 7-4 and 9-0 victory over Belmont. Mann was 5-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI’s, five runs scored and two walks on the day boosting his average to .462. The Knights also utilized two great performances on the mound by Von David Stertzbach in game one and Lincoln Mincks in game two to come away with two wins.
UCF started game one of the twin bill in a 4-0 hole as the Belmont bats got to Golden Knight starter Bo Hall early. Hall made it to the third inning, but was forced from the game after surrendering hits to the first four batters. Stertzbach received the call and trotted in from the bullpen with runners on first and second and nobody out. He provided the Knights with another sensational appearance in relief, shutting down the Belmont offense while striking out seven and only allowing three men to reach base. He improved to 4-0 on the season with all of his victories coming as a reliever.
UCF took care of the scoring the rest of the way, posting three in the third and tying the game in the fifth inning on a bases loaded walk to Rich Wallace. Jason Graham started a two out rally in the sixth with a single to center field, making him 2-for-2 on the day with a sacrifice bunt. The Knights put up three in the inning, giving them their only lead of the game, which Zach Sutton held up for his team leading fourth save of the year.
Dee Brown led the team with three RBI’s in the game and six for the day, making him the team leader with 35 on the season. Brown was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored to go along with his RBI’s. Wayne Summers got the start at third in both games with the two lefties going for the Bruins and had three hits, a RBI and a run scored.
The Knights charged out of the gate in game two with nine runs and eight hits in the first three innings. UCF scored three runs in each of the first three innings and left the rest up to Mincks. Mincks went six strong, throwing 88 pitches, while only giving up four hits and sending six back to the bench via the strikeout. Matt Fox came in for some clean up work and finished off the game, tossing a scoreless seventh inning.
The Bruins had five batters record multiple hits in the first game and Josh Brummett did all he could with the stick going 5-for-6 on the day with two RBI’s. The Bruins pitching and defense hurt them in game two as they walked five and committed three errors.
UCF will have five days to prepare for Atlantic Sun foes Jacksonville University, as they do not have a mid-week game next week. The Knights will make the three-hour bus ride up the coast to take on the Dolphins next Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. and will air on the Sunshine Network, while the double header on Saturday will begin at 1:00 p.m.
