Feb. 7, 2006
UCF Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ORLANDO - UCF (0-2) looks to rebound from a tough weekend at Florida International Tuesday evening with a non-conference game at Bethune-Cookman (1-1). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.
? The Golden Knights lost both games of the FIU series in Miami last weekend. The series, which was scheduled to begin last Saturday, began on Sunday after rain postponed the season opener.
? FIU snapped a four-game losing streak vs. the Golden Knights with a 4-3 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday. The Golden Panthers completed the sweep with a 13-3 win in the second game of the twinbill.
? The last time UCF started a season 0-2 was in 1993, when current recruiting coordinator/assistant coach Craig Cozart was a freshman pitcher for Jay Bergman and the Golden Knights.
? Audio of the Bethune-Cookman game is available on UCFAthletics.com as part of the "Golden Knights All-Access" package.
Inside the Bethune-Cookman Series
? UCF holds a 59-13 series advantage vs. Bethune-Cookman, including eight straight victories. The last win for Bethune-Cookman in the series was an 18-5 triumph on April 22, 2003 in Orlando.
? The Golden Knights have won six consecutive games at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The last time Bethune-Cookman topped the Golden Knights in Daytona Beach was Feb. 12, 2002 when the Wildcats claimed a 3-0 victory.
The Book on Bethune-Cookman
? Bethune-Cookman opened the season with a doubleheader Sunday vs. High Point. B-CC claimed a 5-2 victory in the first game of the doubleheader before High Point earned the series split with a 7-6 win.
? In the 7-6 victory, High Point scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to erase a 6-4 deficit in the final frame for the one-run win.
? Bethune-Cookman is batting .246 as a team on the season, including three stolen bases in four attempts. The Wildcats have yet to hit a home run in 2006.
? The Wildcats own an impressive 1.50 ERA on the mound. Despite allowing nine runs in two games, only three runs were earned.
? Bethune-Cookman has a team fielding percentage of .925, after committing six errors in the first two games of the season.
? Baseball America picked Bethune-Cookman to finish second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2006.
? Senior first baseman Rob Caruso was named to Baseball America's preseason all-MEAC team. Caruso hit .325 with three home runs and 28 RBI in 2005.
? Senior shortstop Jose Almonte was also named to Baseball America's preseason all-MEAC team. Almonte hit .291 with 17 RBI a season ago.
Quite a Debut
? Freshman first baseman Kiko Vazquez made quite a debut in the first series of the season at Florida International. The Sebring native led UCF with three hits and a .429 batting average.
? Vazquez crushed a two-run home run in the eighth inning of the season-opener at FIU for his first career hit.
? Vazquez also flashed the leather at first base, making several highlight plays with the glove.
Starting on the Mound for UCF
? Kyle Sweat is scheduled to make his first career start Tuesday vs. Bethune-Cookman. The Apopka native was sensational in the fall and had a strong spring to lockdown a spot in the starting rotation.
Return of the Long Ball
? After losing the top home run tandem in school history in Dee Brown and John-Michael Howell to professional baseball, most observers felt that UCF's power numbers will be down in 2006. The Golden Knights started the season with two homers in two games at FIU.
? Freshman first baseman Kiko Vazquez hit a two-run shot, his first career long ball, while senior catcher Ryan Bono also hit a big fly.
Welcome to UCF
? Jay Bergman had several new faces in the lineup in the first series of the year at Florida International. The Golden Knights played 10 freshmen at FIU, including eight in the starting lineup between the two games.
Career Stars vs. Bethune-Cookman
? Several Golden Knights have impressive career numbers vs. Bethune-Cookman, led by Matt Ray. The Tennessee native is a career .458 batter vs. the Wildcats in eight games.
? Ray is 11-for-24 in his career vs. Bethune-Cookman with 10 runs scored, nine RBI and three stolen bases.
? Taylor Meier is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in three career starts vs. the Wildcats. In 21 innings, Meier has yielded just 13 hits and totaled 20 strikeouts.
On Deck
? UCF has an open weekend before returning to the field Feb. 17 vs. North Florida in its home opener. ? The Golden Knights host the Ospreys for a three-game series Feb. 17-19 at Jay Bergman Field.