Feb. 17, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Behind six first-run innings and a stellar debut by RHP Danny Davis, the UCF baseball team clinched the series against Siena with an 8-2 victory Sunday afternoon. The Knights (2-1) played in front of 4,602 fans during the three-game set, the ninth-highest attended weekend in program history.
Making his UCF debut, Davis would scatter four hits over seven innings with one strikeout and an unearned run against him.
"Danny Davis was exactly what the doctor ordered," said head coach Terry Rooney after the game. "He was in that starting rotation today for a variety of reasons, but because he had dominated the strike zone all preseason. I thought Danny did a fantastic job."
Said Davis about his debut: "I felt really good and it went really well. I think I had only one strikeout, obviously that shows how well our defense played behind me. It's easy to pitch after putting up six in the first."
UCF continues its home slate Tuesday when it welcomes No. 15 Florida to the baseball complex. Seating will be limited as the last time the two teams met in Orlando the single-game attendance record was shattered. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets through UCFAthletics.com, or by calling 407-823-1000 prior to the Sunshine State showdown at 6:30 p.m.
Leading off the afternoon, Davis worked out his first-inning nerves, stranding a pair of Saints on the base paths. He would settle in, using a five-pitch second inning while totaling five frames of four batters faced or less.
The Brandon, Fla., native's run support came when UCF jumped all over Siena starter Rich Morales in the bottom of the first, sending 11 to the dish and busting out for six runs.
The Knights knocked Morales out after 30 pitches, just 14 strikes, as senior Erik Hempe (1-for-2, 2 BB) and sophomore James Vasquez (2-for-3, 2 RBI) smacked their second doubles of the year. Senior Austin Johnston (1-for-3, 1 RBI) joined the action as well, driving in his first run since Feb. 20, 2011.
Following up Davis' seven frames was senior Brian Adkins who made quick work of the Saints (1-2) in his season debut. He needed just nine pitches to get through the eighth.
The Knights added two late runs on a Parker Webster (1-for-4, 3 RBI) two-run single up the middle prior to redshirt sophomore RHP Spencer Davis seeing his first action as a Knight and ending the contest.
Season tickets can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000 or visit the baseball tickets page. Stay up-to-date on all the latest news by visiting UCFAthletics.com and following the team on Twitter (@UCF_Baseball) and Facebook.