May 13, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF junior third baseman Matt Ray collected a career-high five hits but it was not enough as the host Golden Knights lost 10-4 to Memphis Saturday evening at Jay Bergman Field. Ray was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with a double and run scored in a losing effort for the Golden Knights.
Despite out-hitting the Tigers 13-12, UCF left 10 men on base and the Golden Knight offense ended the night with 12 strikeouts.
Memphis (26-25, 9-11 C-USA) trailed 1-0 after one inning of play, but the Tigers responded with one run in the second, three in the third and four in the fourth to take an early 8-4 lead after four innings of play.
The Golden Knights (23-29, 5-15 C-USA) fought back from a 4-1 deficit in the third inning to even the score at four. Freshman center fielder Dave DiNatale drilled a triple down the left field line with the bases loaded and two outs to tie the game at four.
Memphis answered quickly with a four-run fourth to regain momentum. Left fielder Will Petersen delivered a two-run single while second baseman Bill Moss drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and first baseman Adam Amar added a RBI-single to extend the Tiger lead to 8-4.
The Tigers added single runs in the fifth and sixth inning to close out the scoring, 10-4.
UCF junior left-hander Brian Brooks pitched extremely well in relief, tallying a career-high seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Brooks held the Tigers to one earned run on four hits.
In addition to Ray's five hits, DiNatale finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and freshman right fielder Chadd Hartman was 2-for-4 for the Golden Knights.
Petersen was 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Tigers offensively. Amar also collected three hits and recorded two RBI and scored two runs.
The Golden Knights close out their 2006 home schedule Sunday with Senior Day at Jay Bergman Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon.