TALLAHASSEE - The UCF Golden Knights improved to 41-20 with a 6-1 win over South Florida in the opening game of the NCAA Division I Baseball Tallahassee Regional, Friday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium. With the win, UCF advanced to Game 4 on Saturday at 3 p.m. vs. the winner of the FSU/Stetson game. USF, now 33-28, will play the loser of the FSU/Stetson game in an elimination match up at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The victory for UCF was its 11th in a row.
UCF wasted no time getting things started. After the Bulls went down in order in the top of the first, the Golden Knights scored three runs in the bottom of the inning. David Mann led things off with a single up the middle and went to second when Mike Myers reached base on a walk. Dee Brown moved the runners into scoring position with a bunt, setting up things for center fielder Clay Timpner. With the count 1-2, Timpner singled to left field scoring two runs. Ty Hanson drove in Timpner with a double down the left field line.
South Florida got on the board in the top of the third inning with two extra-base hits. Devin Ivany led off with a double to right center. With two outs, Mike Macaluso tripled to right field, scoring the lone run for the Bulls.
The Golden Knights picked up three more runs in the fourth. With two-out and two on, UCF put together three straight singles, scoring three runs. A sharply hit ball to first base by Timpner started the rally. Hanson followed with a single to right while Adam Miller hit a shot to left field. Mann, Myers and Brown all scored in the inning.
USF starter Jon Uhl, who pitched just one inning but was responsible for three UCF runs, got the loss and went to 8-5 on the year. John Gorham pitched seven innings for the Bulls. He gave up three runs, but struck out eight batters and had no walks. With the win, UCF's Bo Hall, who pitched the complete game, remained perfect for the season and improved to 10-0. It was Hall's second career complete game, both of which have come this season vs. South Florida.
Timpner had an outstanding game for the Golden Knights, going 3-for-5, with two runs scored and two RBIs. Jeff Baisley had two hits for the Bulls.