May 20, 2005
MACON, Ga. - UCF and Mercer are currently in a rain delay in the bottom of the sixth inning with the host Bears leading 7-5. Dee Brown has had a big afternoon for the Golden Knights, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI. Play was suspended after the top of the sixth when heavy rain and lightning moved into the Macon area.
On one swing, Brown vaulted himself into the top spot in UCF's career records for hits and RBI as the senior drilled a two-run home run to center to hand the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead in the first. The hit was Brown's 289th of his career, equaling the school record held by Tim Foskett for 22 seasons (1980-83). Brown also drove in RBI number 220 and 221, joining Vince Zawaski (1985-88) for top honors in UCF history.
Mercer scored four runs in the second, including a two-run single by Brandon Reichert to give the Bears a 4-2 lead.
Mercer scored an unearned run in the third on a RBI-double by Mark Cimini to push the lead to 5-2.
Brown's home run heroics continued in the fourth as he established a new career record for hits and RBI at UCF with his solo homer to bring UCF to within two at 5-3. The home run was Brown's 290th hit of his career, the 222nd RBI and his 17th home run of the season.
The 17 home runs tie Brown with Dustin Brisson (1999) for the UCF single-season record. The multi-home run game was Brown's fifth of the season as he moved into sole possession of sixth place in the UCF career record books with 25 home runs.
Mercer added to its lead in the fifth with two runs to make the score 7-3.
Brown's big day continued in the sixth with a RBI-single - his fourth RBI and third hit of the game - to bring UCF back to within three at 7-4. Later in the inning, Brown came around to score on a wild pitch to close the gap to 7-5.
Play was suspended following the top of the sixth inning.
Game Notes: UCF head coach Jay Bergman was ejected in the bottom of the fifth inning ... Dee Brown and John-Michael Howell are the top home run hitting duo in single-season history at UCF with 32 home runs ... the two surpassed Dustin Brisson (17 HR) and Matt Bowser (13 HR), who combined to hit 30 homers in 1999.