Feb. 18, 2005
ORLANDO - Senior right-hander Darren Newlin struck out a career-high nine batters to propel No. 30 UCF to a 10-2 victory over Florida A&M Friday evening at Jay Bergman Field. Newlin limited the Rattlers to one unearned run over 7.0 innings of work to improve to 2-0 on the season.
With the victory, UCF raised its record to 6-1 while FAMU remained winless on the season at 0-12.
Newlin set the tone for the night with a six-pitch first inning to send the Rattlers down in order. "My slider was really good tonight and getting ahead was key," commented Newlin.
"Darren pitched really well and Dee got a big hit for us," stated UCF head coach Jay Bergman. "We pitched well tonight and made some plays offensively to earn the win."
UCF started with one run in the first until scoring three runs in the fifth. Redshirt sophomore Matt Horwath started the three-run fifth with a bases loaded walk to force in a run. Chandler Rose followed with an infield single to third and Justin Mahon delivered a sacrifice fly to build the lead to 4-0.
The Golden Knights finally put the game away with a six-run outburst in the seventh. After FAMU scored one run in the top of the seventh, UCF loaded the bases for Rose and he smacked a double to left field, giving UCF a 7-1 lead. Dee Brown busted the game open when he belted a triple to the gap in right center to empty the bases, giving UCF a 7-1 advantage.
On the night, UCF was 3-for-4 with two walks, a double and triple with the bases loaded. The Golden Knights out-hit FAMU 11-5 including two hits by Rose, Mahon and Ryan Bono.
The Golden Knights host No. 20 Notre Dame Saturday at 1 p.m. from Jay Bergman Field. Junior right-hander Mike Billek takes to the hill vs. Notre Dame's Tom Thornton. Both games of the Notre Dame series will air on the UCF ISP Sports Network (740-AM The Team).
Game Notes: Matt Horwath made his anticipated debut for the Golden Knights after missing the first six games of the season with a wrist injury ... the LSU transfer finished 1-for-1 with three walks and two runs scored ... UCF improved to 11-3-1 all-time vs. Florida A&M ... FAMU played at UCF for the first time since 1994 ... the Golden Knights are 4-0 when their starting pitcher goes 6+ innings ... UCF is 5-0 in 2005 when scoring first and 3-0 when scoring in the first inning.