May 5, 2006
HOUSTON - For the second straight week, UCF ran into one of the nation's top pitchers as Houston right-hander Brad Lincoln recorded 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work to lead the tenth-ranked Cougars to a 10-5 victory over the visiting Golden Knights Friday evening.
The loss dropped the Golden Knights to 23-25 overall and 5-11 in Conference USA play. The Cougars moved to 32-17 on the season and 15-4 in league play.
UCF's lone bright spot was sophomore center fielder Tyson Auer. The Longwood native finished a perfect 4-for-4 on the night with a run scored. The four hits were a career-high.
The Cougars scored two runs on three hits in the first inning to take an early lead. Lincoln helped his own cause with a RBI-double and right fielder Matt Weston plated Lincoln with a single through the left side to give UH a 2-0 lead.
Houston added an unearned run in the second to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Cougars kept the pressure on with another two runs in the third, including a solo home run by right fielder Matt Weston. Weston has been on fire with the bat, hitting all 11 of his homers this season since April 4.
UCF ace Tim Bascom (5-5) surrendered a season-high in runs (6) and earned runs (5). The Dunedin native did not record a strikeout for the first time as a starter.
Houston added four runs in the sixth, including a three-run home run from catcher Luis Flores.
UCF avoided the shutout with a solo home run by freshman right fielder Dave DiNatale in the seventh. The homer was DiNatale's second of the season.
The home run yielded by Lincoln (10-1) was his only mistake of the night. The junior right-hander won his ninth straight game of the season for the host Cougars.
The Golden Knights closed the deficit to 10-5 in the eighth with four runs. Freshman first baseman Kiko Vazquez and freshman left fielder Chadd Hartman both contributed RBI-singles in the frame for the visitors.
The series continues Saturday evening at 8 p.m. ET in Houston.
Game Notes: UCF dropped to 3-7 all-time vs. Houston ... the last time Tim Bascom did not record a strikeout was June 6, 2004 vs. No. 16 Florida State in the NCAA Regionals ... Houston-area native Danny Kash (Sugar Land) entered the game in the seventh inning at second base for the Golden Knights.