MIAMI – UCF junior pitcher Matt Fox struck out 10 batters in five innings to lead the Golden Knights to a 6-2 victory over Florida International Saturday in the season-opener for UCF. The right-hander from Coral Springs was dominant, allowing just two runs on three hits without allowing a walk. It was the first start of Fox’s career that he did not issue a walk, while the entire UCF pitching staff did not allow a free pass for the game.
With the win, UCF improved to 1-0 while FIU dropped to 1-3.
The Golden Panthers scored first in the second inning when Bryan Pullin hit a solo home run to right field. Fox fanned the first four batters of the game before Pullin’s homer. Fox responded with two strikeouts to close out the second, giving him six through two innings of work.
The Golden Knights tied the contest in the fourth on a RBI-single by Dee Brown. Brown drove in Clay Timpner, who tripled to right-center to reach base.
Pullin hit his second home run of the game in the fourth to give FIU the lead again at 2-1.
UCF tied the game again in the fifth when David Mann singled to left field, bringing home Ryan Bono.
The Golden Knights took the lead for good in the sixth with a three-run outburst. Freshman pinch hitter Bridger Hunt came through with the big hit, as the Oviedo product drilled a RBI-double to the left-center field gap for his first collegiate hit to give the Knights a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, Dave Lambert walked with the bases loaded to force in a run and Mann reached on an error to plate another run.
The 5-2 margin was more than enough for UCF closer Kyle Bono. The sophomore right-hander pitched a perfect three innings for the save with three strikeouts.
Marshall Bernhard was 2-for-3 with a RBI-single and walk in his first game with the Knights. Bernhard’s RBI-single in the eighth was the final run of the game for the victors.
UCF looks to close out the two-game sweep Sunday in the series finale. Junior left-handed pitcher Jaime Douglas will get the nod on the hill for UCF. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at University Park in Miami and can be heard live on WNSC.
Baseball Cruises Past FIU 6-2 In Season Opener
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