March 4, 2007
Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Monmouth scored six runs in the first four innings Sunday en route to a 13-4 victory over the UCF baseball team at Jay Bergman Field. The loss prevented UCF (6-9) from winning its first series of the 2007 campaign, while the Hawks completed their first action of the season with a 2-1 overall record.
In UCF's first loss on a Sunday this year (4-1), starter Jaager Good (1-1) could not get out of the fourth inning by allowing six runs, only three of which were earned. Nick Meyers (1-0) recorded the victory for Monmouth, pitching 6.0 innings and surrendering two runs on nine hits.
At the plate, Orlando native Chris Duffy racked up three more hits, marking the fourth-straight game he connected for at least two hits. He entered the week batting .125 and finished with a .326 average thanks to 11 hits in the last four games. Meanwhile, Brandon Romans belted his first home run as a Golden Knight, a solo blast in the ninth inning, and completed his afternoon 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
The very first pitch Sunday gave UCF reason to worry, as Kyle Higgins blasted a double to right center. The Hawks eventually got two runners into scoring position with one down and had their four and five hitters coming to the plate. Rick Niederhaus became the second out, looking at a called third strike from Good. One batter later, Shawn Teters did the same, watching a 3-2 pitch paint the outside part of the plate. Even though Good escaped the first, two singles and an error loaded them up for Monmouth with no outs. Brett Holland delivered the first run on a RBI single to right, Higgins earned a sacrifice fly and the Hawks added an unearned run to take a 3-0 advantage.
Kyle Maulbetsch then came through in the bottom of the second for the Knights, hitting a clutch two-out bases-loaded single into right field plating Duffy and Eric Kallstrom. The two runs driven in were the first RBI for the freshman this season.
Monmouth did not let up, though, picking up three runs in the fourth on a wild pitch, a throwing error and a single. It came close to having another big inning, but saw reliever Brian Brooks get out of the sixth on a 1-2-3 double play with the bases full of Hawks.
After going scoreless from the third to sixth innings, Kallstrom helped UCF inch closer in the seventh. With two down, the shortstop belted a two-out double down the line in left. Romans, who earlier reached on a single, could not beat the relay throw home to catcher John Dennis but still kicked the ball out of his glove to slide home safely and make it 6-3.
Monmouth, however, put the game away in the top of the ninth with seven runs, capped off by Andy Meyers' grand slam to right field.
The 17-game home stand continues for the Knights, as they welcome Michigan State Tuesday and Northeastern Wednesday. Both tilts are scheduled for 6:30 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: Nick Meyers (1-0), 6.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
LP: Jaager Good (1-1), 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
SV: Brett Brach (1), 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
- UCF tied a season-high with 14 hits. However, it gave up 17 hits, which matched the most by a Golden Knight opponent in 2007 (Maryland, Feb. 16).
- Kyle Maulbetsch stole his first collegiate base in the second inning.
- For the three-game series, a total of 2,365 fans (785, 781 and 799, respectively) came out to Jay Bergman Field, which ranks as the eighth-largest series ever at the ballpark. In all, three of the top-10 all-time series in terms of attendance have occurred this season.
- UCF finished the weekend by leaving double-digit runners on base in each contest. In game one, it left 10 aboard in a 7-4 loss. In game two, 14 were left on base in an 11-10 victory. And on Sunday, 13 were stranded.