Weekend Series With Houston Awaits No. 16 BaseballWeekend Series With Houston Awaits No. 16 Baseball

Weekend Series With Houston Awaits No. 16 Baseball

March 29, 2012

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By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com

Houston Game Notes

HOUSTON, Texas. (UCFAthletics.com) - In the midst of a five-game road swing, the No. 16 UCF baseball team will put its 2-1 Conference USA-record on the line when it takes on Houston in a three-game set beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The Knights (20-6) and Cougars (10-13) will meet Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and finish the weekend Sunday at 1:30.

In the all-time series that began in 1990, UCF trails, 20-8. Last year in Orlando, the Knights took one-of-three from the Cougars. Brian Adkins tossed six innings of three-run ball for the win, and he will once again get the start in Friday night's contest.

Last week, the Orlando native matched the longest outing by a UCF starter when he went seven innings and allowed only one run while striking out his 100th-career batter in the 2-1 win over East Carolina.

Saturday's starter, Chris Matulis, makes his return to the weekend rotation after a stint in the bullpen that saw him surrender only one earned run in 11 innings pitched while striking out 16. Against the Pirates last week, Matulis earned the victory in 4 1/3 innings of relief and struck out a career-high seven batters.

Senior Ray Hanson, fresh off his second win of the season Tuesday against Florida Atlantic, will make his weekend debut on Sunday. In all five appearances in 2012, Hanson hasn't allowed more than one run and owns an ERA of 1.69, the lowest of any UCF pitcher with more than 20 innings logged.

Action from Cougar Field can be seen on CBS All-Access.

Probable Starters (UCF first)
LHP Brian Adkins (1-0, 4.84 ERA) vs. RHP Jared Ray (1-2, 5.88 ERA)
LHP Chris Matulis (3-0, 3.46 ERA) vs. LHP Jordan Lewis (3-3, 4.76 ERA)
RHP Ray Hanson (2-1, 1.69 ERA) vs. RHP 2-2, 2.43 ERA)