Feb. 19, 2006
ORLANDO - Junior Matt Ray and sophomore Tyson Auer each collected three hits as UCF pounded out a season-high 16 hits, but it was not enough as North Florida earned a 6-5 series sweep over the Golden Knights Sunday afternoon at Jay Bergman Field. North Florida (5-3) became the first team in Jay Bergman Field history to sweep a three-game series from the Golden Knights (1-5) at home.
"I thought early in the ballgame we had a chance to blow it open and we didn't get it done," said UCF head coach Jay Bergman. "There are so many little things right now that we are just not there yet."
The last team to sweep a three-game series from UCF in Orlando was Jacksonville during the 1999 campaign.
The Golden Knights scored a run in the first on a RBI-double by freshman Kiko Vazquez to give UCF a 1-0 lead. The run snapped a streak of 18.1 consecutive scoreless innings for the UCF offense.
North Florida tied the game at one in the second without a hit. Jon Dandridge drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly.
The Ospreys were held hitless until the sixth when they scored three times. UNF trailed 3-2 entering the sixth, but scored three runs, including a two-run home run by Damon Olinto to give UNF the lead for good. The home run was Olinto's second of the series.
UCF freshman left-handed pitcher Mitch Herold started on the hill for the Golden Knights. In his first career start, Herold pitched 3.2 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. The Merritt Island native struck out six batters and totaled five walks.
UCF closed the gap to 5-4 in the home half of the sixth on a RBI-single by Ray. Ray and Auer combined to go 6-for-9 with two RBI, three runs scored and three stolen bases on the day.
North Florida added a run in the eighth to move ahead 6-4 before UCF attempted a rally in the ninth. The Golden Knights collected three hits in the ninth, including a pinch-hit RBI-single by freshman Dave DiNatale to close the deficit to 6-5. With runners on first and third, UNF closer Josh Papelbon got out of the jam as he induced a ground ball off the bat of freshman Ryan Williams to end the game.
Ten Golden Knights collected hits, including multi-hit games by Auer, Ray and freshmen Mitch Houck and Chadd Hartman.
UCF returns to the diamond Friday, Feb. 24 vs. Stony Brook. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Jay Bergman Field. Tickets are available for the game by calling 407-823-1000.
Game Notes: UCF is 0-3 in one-run games this season ... Freshmen Shane Ynclan, Mitch Houck and Chadd Hartman each recorded their first collegiate hits Sunday vs. the Ospreys.