March 20, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF baseball team was unable to complete a late-inning rally at Jacksonville on Wednesday afternoon, falling to the Dolphins, 7-5. The fourth game of the season series had its first pitch delayed 76 minutes due to rain prior to the original 12 p.m. start time.
After JU plated the first run of the contest on wild pitch with runners at first and third in the opening frame, the Dolphins (7-14) struck for five more in the bottom of the third, knocking out starter Danny Davis (3-1) in the process.
UCF would get one back in the top of the fourth after Austin Johnston (1-for-5) hit his first-career triple, and later scored on a Parker Webster (2-for-5, 1 RBI) infield single, but JU would tack on another run to make it 7-1.
From then on, UCF used the combination of sophomore LHP Harrison Hukari and RHP Zac Favre to keep the JU bats at bay over the last four innings and keep the team in the game.
After the Knights (14-9) stranded the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, senior 3B Chris Taladay (2-for-4, 1 RBI) came through in the seventh with a two-out RBI single to start UCF's comeback attempt. UCF plated two more in the frame on a fielding and throwing error by third baseman Drew Luther to keep within striking distance.
In the ninth, redshirt senior Erik Hempe (1-for-4) led off with a double that landed on the right-field line and was driven in on a James Vasquez (1-for4, 1 RBI) single up the middle to make it 7-5. With the go-ahead runner in the batter's box and runners at first and second, JU's Adam Maxon would shut the door on UCF's rally with a strikeout swinging.
Overall, the Knights had their chances on the afternoon, leaving 10 on base after collecting nine hits as a unit.
UCF will now head to Birmingham, Ala., as it begins its final run in C-USA play at UAB Friday-Sunday. Fans can tune in for every pitch of the next four games by listening on Stretch Internet radio. Each audio broadcast will be free of charge.
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.