Feb. 25, 2010
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
Orlando, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF will open up a 13-game homestand this weekend when it hosts Siena in a three-game series beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m. The Knights will use the same rotation as they had vs. Savannah State, going with Owen Dew, Johnny Sedlock and Nick Cicio on the mound.
Schedule:
Friday - Orlando, Fla. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday - Orlando, Fla. - 4 p.m.
Sunday - Orlando, Fla. - 1 p.m.
Records:
Siena - 1-3 Overall, 0-0 MAAC
UCF - 3-1 Overall, 0-0 C-USA
Stadium:
Jay Bergman Field (2,230)
Series:
UCF leads, 28-3
Live Stats:
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This Weekend's Festivities
-On Friday night, the first 150 fans will receive a free UCF koozie.
-Fans in attendance who follow UCF baseball on Twitter (@UCF_baseball) and Facebook (facebook.com/UCFBaseball) will have the opportunity to win great prizes courtesy of UCF's ISP partnerships. Come out to the ballpark this weekend for more details.
-Little League Sunday also will take place as youth who wear their little league uniform will be admitted free.
UCF at Florida Recap
-The Knights almost pulled off a major upset Feb. 24, falling at No. 5 Florida, 7-6, on the road. The Gators held a 7-0 advantage before UCF scored six unanswered runs late, but could not get the tying run.
-UCF continued to demonstrate some impressive marks at the plate, outhitting Florida 15-12.
Upcoming Opponent
-Siena will play Thursday at Florida before taking on the Knights, and the Saints claim a 1-3 record after four games with Stetson.
-As a team, Siena owns a .325 average but has struck out 35 times compared to seven walks.
-On the mound, the Saints have a 9.00 team ERA with 21 strikeouts in 33.0 innings.
The Series
-UCF has met Siena 31 times on the diamond and holds a 28-3 all-time lead over the Saints.
-The Knights have won eight-straight over Siena, including all three in 2006 and 2008, in a series that dates back to 1977.
Offense Notes from the Florida Game
-With 15, UCF recorded its most hits vs. Florida dating back to May 11, 1999, when the Knights also had 15 hits in an 8-7 win in Gainesville.
-It was the first time since May 6 last year (a span of 18 games) that the Gators surrendered at least 15 hits. UF allowed 15 hits or more in a game only six times in 2009.
-UCF hitters 4-7, Beau Taylor, Jonathan Griffin, Chris Duffy and Austin Johnston, posted at least two hits.
The Benefits of a Surging Duffy
-Through four games, Chris Duffy has held down the No. 6 spot in the order, and due to his prowess at the plate, those above him may be benefitting greatly.
-Duffy is 9-for-15 with three homers and nine RBI so far.
-Beau Taylor (No. 4) and Jonathan Griffin (No. 5) may continue to see good pitches to hit as opponents will not want Duffy to dig in with runners aboard. And so far the duo has taken advantage, with Taylor going .588 at the dish and Griffin posting a .474 average.
Setting the Tone
-A leadoff hitter can bring a lot to the table in college baseball, and so far freshman Ronnie Richardson is doing just that.
-The center fielder has amassed eight walks in 21 plate appearances while going 5-for-13 with a team-high six runs scored.
That was Then, This is Now
-After not having a left-handed pitcher on staff in 2009, UCF started its third-straight lefty when Brian Adkins took the hill Feb. 24 at Florida.
-The last time the Knights had three-consecutive southpaws earn starts on the mound came in 2008 when Mitch Houck, Carmine Giardina and Mitch Herold started from April 12-15.
It's Certainly a New Season
-In 2009, UCF collected just 24 stolen bases for the year. But in 2010, the Knights posted five stolen bases in game two alone, all by newcomers (two each from Ronnie Richardson and Kevin Vasquez, one from Darnell Sweeney). That was good for 21 percent of the entire output of `09, all in one contest.
-Last year, it took the Black and Gold 14 games before posting five stolen bases as a team.