March 3, 2007
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Game Notes for Sunday, March 4
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Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - In head coach Jay Bergman's 1,500th game as leader of the Golden Knights, the UCF baseball team (5-8) claimed one of the wildest victories ever recorded at Jay Bergman Field, defeating Monmouth (1-1), 11-10, on a walk-off walk Saturday. The two teams combined for 24 hits, 10 errors, 27 left on base, 17 walks and 14 strikeouts in a game that lasted 3:56 and featured heavy rain late in the contest.
Bergman, who is in his 25th season with UCF, claimed sole possession of 18th on the Division I all-time wins list with his 1,162nd career victory. Freshman Chris Duffy, a product of Cypress Creek High School, helped that cause, recording at least two hits for the third-straight game. The third baseman went 4-for-6 with five RBI, a run scored, two doubles and a stolen base. Meanwhile, Chadd Hartman finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and two walks, and Brandon Romans scored three runs in the triumph.
UCF starter Eric English lasted 4.2 innings, striking out four in the process. Brian Brooks (1-1) notched the win, recording the final two outs in the top of the ninth, which led up to Eric Kallstrom's bases-loaded walk that brought in the game-winning run.
With the UCF bats going cold at the beginning of the game, leaving a combined five runners on base in the first two innings, Monmouth took advantage in the top of the third. Loading the bases with nobody out, Andy Meyers hit a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Brett Holland to score. With all the runners moving up, English faced a tough scenario. But he managed to limit the damage to just the one run by picking up the next two outs. Monmouth came right back in the fourth, though, increasing the lead to 2-0 on a squeeze bunt.
The Black and Gold finally got to Monmouth starter Brad Brach in the bottom half, scoring six unearned runs while batting around to take a commanding lead. Duffy and Dwayne Bailey both reached on singles, and a one-out throwing error permitted Kallstrom to reach and Duffy to come across for the first run. Following a fly out, Hartman ripped a two-run single through the right side. A hit by pitch let Kiko Vazquez reach first, and Romans pushed it to 4-2 on a single into center. Duffy, who led off the inning with a base hit, closed the scoring with a double off the wall in right, plating Romans and Vazquez.
English pitched into some trouble in the fifth, putting the first two on thanks to a walk and a single. A double-play ball helped erase any momentum by the Hawks, but they did pick up a run later in the inning on a balk with runners at the corners. Derek Abriola then came on after a walk, and although he issued a free pass to the first batter he faced, he struck out Dennis with the bases juiced to keep UCF up by three.
Duffy worked his magic again in the sixth to make it 7-3, placing a out-one single into right to score Romans, who led off the frame with a double to the gap in left-center. However, Monmouth did not quit, scoring three in the seventh and came close to tying it up only to see Braun be tagged out at home on a fielder's choice. The Hawks' outburst did not faze the Knights when they strode to the plate after the seventh-inning stretch. Shane Brown, who hit a 3-1 pitch with the bases-loaded into left field to defeat Michigan in the 10th inning Feb. 27, duplicated that feat Saturday. Brown belted a 3-1 fastball to left to drive in Tyson Auer, and Duffy continued to shine, doubling down the right-field line to let Romans and Hartman score and increase UCF's advantage to 10-6.
This time the lead did not hold up, as two UCF errors with Kyle Sweat on the mound allowed Monmouth to score four unearned runs in the eighth and tie the game at 10-10. In the ninth, the Hawks left the go-ahead run on second with one out as Brooks closed the door on another possible rally.
UCF's version of the ninth did not start too eventful, as it saw Romans fly out against reliever Justin Esposito (0-1). Monmouth's fourth error began the Knights' march, which let Brown get aboard with one down. Although Duffy flied out, Ryan Richardson cranked a single into right and Bailey earned a five-pitch walk. Now with the bases filled with Black and Gold uniforms, Kallstrom did not need to take the bat off his shoulders en route to his four-pitch walk-off free pass.
UCF and Monmouth wrap up the series Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.
Game Notes
WP: Brian Brooks (1-1), 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
LP: Justin Esposito (0-1), 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
- UCF completed the win with 13 hits, the second-most of the season (14 against Florida International - Feb. 4).
- The Golden Knights have now won three of their last four games.
- Dwayne Bailey stole his seventh base of the season. He also had a hit, a run scored and three walks.
- Midway through the game, a slight sprinkle began to fall and it became a consistent rain just before the top of the seventh. It let up with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
- Monmouth finished with 13 left on base, while UCF left 14 aboard.
- Chadd Hartman set a career-high with two stolen bases. He also tied a career-best with two hits and two runs scored.