Oct. 22, 2010
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With the series even at a game apiece, Black won the 2010 Black and Gold World Series with a 5-0 win in game three Friday night. A day after surrendering 10 runs to Gold, Black's pitching combination of starter Nick Cicio (Baltimore, Md.) and Chase Bradford (Henderson, Nev.) combined to allow just three hits and no runs in the six-inning rubber-match victory.
"I was overall very pleased with our progress this fall," said head coach Terry Rooney. "It was a positive step as we move to the offseason. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this team is showing a tremendous amount of confidence as we approach the season."
In the bottom of the second, Black put three runs on the board. After D.J. Hicks (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on a single by potential walk-on Trace Davidson, Kevin Vasquez's (Tallahassee, Fla.) ground ball was booted to allow Hicks to score. Third baseman Travis Shreve's (Auburn, Wash.) two-run double over left fielder Ethan Smith's head then gave Black the three-run lead.
The bottom of the third inning saw Black add to its lead. Beau Taylor (Rockledge, Fla.) reached on a single and advanced to second on a base hit by Hicks. Davidson's RBI single to right field scored Taylor from second for the fourth run of the game.
Darnell Sweeney started the fourth for Black with a double to the right-field warning track. After stealing third, Sweeney scored on a Ronnie Richardson (Eagle Lake, Fla.) single over the head of the shortstop into left center field.
It appeared as if Erik Hempe was going to put the leadoff runner on for Gold in the top of the sixth, but second baseman Spencer Haynes ranged to his right and threw out Hempe from the outfield grass on the opposite side of second base.
After the play by Haynes, Gold threatened as it put the next two runners on base with a walk and a single. Bradford managed to get out of the inning and end the game as he induced Jonathan Griffin to hit into a game-ending double play.
Game Notes:
UCF Gold - 0 R, 3 H, 1 E
UCF Black - 5 R, 9 H, 0 E
- Gold Pitchers: Johnny Sedlock - 2.1 IP (5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K), Matt Collins - 2.2 IP (2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K)
- Black Pitchers: Nick Cicio - W, 3.0 IP (1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K), Chas Bradford - 3.0 IP (2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K)