Feb. 24, 2006
ORLANDO - Three UCF (2-5) pitchers held Stony Brook (0-1) scoreless and allowed just two hits as the host Golden Knights shutout the Seawolves 1-0 Friday evening at Jay Bergman Field. Junior Brian Brooks (2-1) earned the victory in relief with two perfect innings of work and two strikeouts as the Golden Knights captured their second victory of the season.
"The kids need to enjoy this victory and keep going," commented UCF head coach Jay Bergman. "The pitching was outstanding and was the difference in the ballgame."
UCF's pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts on the night, including three by senior closer Dominic Petracca as he struck out the side for his second save of the season. Petracca threw just 13 pitches in the ninth to sit the Seawolves down in order.
Freshman left fielder Chadd Hartman drove in the game's only run on a fielder's choice in the eighth inning to score freshman pinch hitter Ryan Williams from third base. Williams started the rally with a single and advanced to third on two balks by Stony Brook reliever Marc Brown (0-1) before scoring the game-winning run.
Both teams combined for just six hits in the two-hour, 29-minute contest.
UCF starter Tim Bascom pitched another strong game, but earned a no-decision for the second consecutive start. The Dunedin native and Preseason Conference USA Pitcher of the Year held Stony Brook to two hits over six innings of work with a season-high seven strikeouts. In Bascom's three starts this season, UCF has scored a total of four runs. Bascom lowered his season ERA to 1.02 after the six shutout innings vs. the Seawolves.
Freshman shortstop Eric Kallstrom led UCF with two hits, including his first career double.
Stony Brook starter Kris Bakey pitched well, tossing six shutout innings. He yielded just three hits and totaled three strikeouts.
The series continues Saturday with game two of the series from Jay Bergman Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Game Note: UCF head coach Jay Bergman announced prior to the game that sophomore center fielder Tyson Auer has been suspended for the Stony Brook series due to a violation of team policy.