March 16, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF baseball team saw its five-game win streak come to a halt Saturday as Columbia evened the four-game series at 1-all with a 5-4 victory. The back-and-forth contest consisted of four lead changes with the Lions plating the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
On Sunday, UCF will look to retake the series lead when senior LHP Bran Adkins makes his fifth start of the season. Knights fans are encouraged to come and celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the ballpark as green beads and t-shirts will be distributed to supporters as they enter the stadium.
Columbia took advantage of starter Danny Davis' inability to find the strike zone early, scoring a run on a bases-loaded walk followed by a miscue on the throw home on a fielder's choice. UCF would make an early pitching change in the top of the third, turning to redshirt senior LHP Chris Matulis who provided stability in his nearly five innings on the mound.
With just two hits through five innings, the Knights (12-8) would finally get the offense going in the sixth after JoMarcos Woods led off the frame getting plunked and advanced to third on a James Vasquez (4-for-4) single to right-center field. After RF Erik Hempe took a ball off the hands, fellow senior Chris Taladay (1-for-4, 1 RBI) legged out a single to the shortstop with the bases loaded to score Woods.
Junior LF Parker Webster (1-for-4, 2 RBI) made it four-straight games with an RBI when he dropped a two-run double into left field to give the Knights their only lead of the game at 3-2.
Columbia would strike back in the following inning, however, taking a 4-3 lead on a two-run double to left-center by OF Nick Ferraresi.
The Knights responded in the bottom of the seventh by tying the game at 4-all after SS Tommy Williams took a lead-off walk and would later score on a Vasquez single to second base followed by an error on the throw.
To continue the back-and-forth frames, Columbia seized its opportunity to retake the lead at 5-4 after an RBI double by Jordan Serena. The go-ahead two-bagger by the Lions (2-7) would be all they needed as Alex Black closed out the final 1 2/3 innings for his first save of the year.
Ten Voucher packages are now on sale for only $50. Select the games that you want to attend for a discounted price. Voucher packages and single-game 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.