Feb. 7, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - A perfect afternoon of sunny weather was the backdrop for the UCF baseball team's Saturday practice. The Knights got in a lot of defensive work before holding a seven-inning intra-squad game with Austin Hudson and Evan Stobbs getting the starts on the mound.
Along with infield/outfield drills early during practice, the Knights focused on bunting as well. UCF's outfielders served as the hitters and runners with assistant coach Cliff Godwin delivering the pitches. The entire infield worked on communication on sac bunts and ensured they were in proper position whenever the situation arises during the season.
While the defense was hard at work, Hudson and Stobbs were warming up for the team's scrimmage, which began in the top of the third inning. After two scoreless frames, it was D.J. Hicks that provided the game's first run in the top of the fifth, driving in Kyle Mills with a single to right field off Stobbs to give Gray a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half, though, Eric Kallstrom opened it up with a single and Shane Brown reached on failed double-play attempt. Hudson did record the next two outs, but gave up a two-run single to Beau Taylor after a very lengthy at-bat that saw the UCF catcher foul off several pitches before connecting.
The White squad added one more in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI double off the bat of Eric Kallstrom, which plated Austin Smith who led off the stanza with a single to right. Hudson would finish his outing with five innings of work, giving up seven hits, one earned run and struck out two all while not walking a batter. For Stobbs, the righty also went five innings, surrendering one run on three hits and striking out a pair.
Anthony Figliolia took over on the hill for White in the top of the eighth and was greeted by an RBI base hit to center from Jake Huxtable with one out. Now with the score at 3-2 White, Figliolia settled down to retire the next two batters and strand two runners on base. After Cory Weech sat down the side 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Figliolia kept Gray scoreless in the ninth to seal the win.
To ensure Weech would get his second inning on the hill, the Knights still played the bottom half. Nick Choto got things started with a single to right and following a one-out hit by pitch to Kiko Vazquez, Taylor lined a single into right with the runners moving to bring it to 4-2. Two more runs came across thanks to a RBI single from Smith and a fielding error on the play for the final 6-2 margin.
Taylor finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and Kallstrom went 3-for-3 with a double, stolen base, RBI and run scored for White. Gray was paced by Mills' 2-for-4 afternoon, as he notched a double, a stolen base and scored a run.
Opening Day is set for Feb. 20 against Virginia Commonwealth. Check back on Tuesday for another practice update from the diamond.
Baseball season and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2009 campaign. Call the UCF Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000 for more information. Fans may also visit UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, and is the home of UCF's online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Lineups and Stats for the Feb. 7 ScrimmageGrayDH Stephen Branca - 0-3, BBSS Kyle Mills - 2-4, 2B, SB, RC Brandon Romans - 1-3, BB, R1B D.J. Hicks - 1-2, RBI, BB3B Jake Huxtable - 1-3, RBILF B.J. Zimmerman - 0-3RF Chadd Hartman - 1-3, SBCF Alex Friedrich - 1-3
Pitchers (Innings would sometimes go longer or shorter than three outs)SP Austin Hudson - 21 BF, 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 KRP Cory Weech - 8 BF, 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
WhiteRF Colin Arnold - 0-4SS Eric Kallstrom - 3-3, 2B, SB, R, RBI3B Shane Brown - 0-4, RLF Chris Duffy - 0-41B Kiko Vazquez - 1-3, 2B, RC Beau Taylor - 3-4, 3 RBI, RCF Austin Smith - 2-4, RBI, R
Pitchers (Innings would sometimes go longer or shorter than three outs)SP Evan Stobbs - 17 BF, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 KRP Anthony Figliolia - 10 BF, 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Note: Nick Choto served as the all-time second baseman, and eventually two at-bats for White, going 1-for-2 with a stolen base ="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>