April 1, 2006
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Sophomore center fielder Tyson Auer continued his big series vs. Marshall by going 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored as visiting UCF topped the Thundering Herd 7-5 Saturday evening at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W.Va. Auer, who had three hits and six RBI in Friday's series opener, was just a home run short of the cycle for the second straight game to lead the Golden Knights to the victory.
UCF (18-12, 2-0 C-USA) has won five of its last six road games.
In the top of the first inning, Auer doubled, stole third and scored on a RBI-single by senior designated hitter Dave Lambert.
Marshall (10-13, 0-5 C-USA) answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to take its first lead of the series, 2-1.
UCF freshman shortstop Eric Kallstrom drilled a solo homer in the second to tie the game at two before the Thundering Herd scored another two runs in the home half of the second to take a 4-2 lead.
The Golden Knights responded with a five-run outburst in the fourth to take their first lead of the night, 7-4. Auer ripped a triple with the bases loaded to plate three runs to put UCF in front, 5-4. Senior catcher Ryan Bono followed with a two-run home run to right field to extend the lead to three at 7-4. The bases loaded triple for Auer was his second of the series for the Lake Mary product.
Marshall closed the gap to 7-5 in the eighth on a RBI-triple by Brent Mason. After the triple by Mason, senior closer Dominic Petracca entered the game and got a strikeout to get out of the jam. Petracca worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his eighth save of the season.
Junior Derek Abriola allowed one run on three hits in three innings of work with four strikeouts to earn the win.
UCF goes for the three-game sweep Sunday at 12 noon.
Game Notes: Dominic Petracca moved into a tie for second place in UCF single-season history with his eighth save of the season ... Junior third baseman Matt Ray stole two bases to move into ninth place in UCF history with 64 stolen bases ... UCF clinched its first C-USA series victory with the win Saturday.