March 5, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF baseball team was unable to even the all-time series with North Florida Tuesday night from the baseball complex as the Ospreys won, 9-5. The Knights will look to bounce back Wednesday when they head to Coral Gables to take on No. 24 Miami at 6 p.m.
Trying to pick up its first midweek victory of the year, the Knights (7-5) couldn't get the offense going until the last two frames as the Ospreys (10-3) out-him them, 17-11. Senior Chris Taladay extended his hit streak to five games with a two-run single in the ninth prior to the bases being loaded and two outs. With the tying run at the plate, UNF closer Corbin Olmstead was able to diffuse the Knights' rally with a game-ending strikeout.
When UCF heads south to take on the Hurricanes (11-2), it will be looking for its third win in its last four visits during the regular season at Alex Rodriguez Park.
UCF would face an early deficit for the second-straight game as the Ospreys struck for a two-run, two-out single in the top of the first off of starter Eric Skoglund (0-3). The visitors would tack on another pair in the fourth after UNF's Alex Bacon got a hold of a 3-2 pitch and sent it over the left-field fence.
After Skoglund exited the contest with six innings of work to his name, the Ospreys would strike for more via the long ball in the seventh inning, hitting back-to-back home runs over the left-field wall to make it 7-0.
The Knights would break into the scoring column in the eighth, starting the frame with three-straight hits. Erik Hempe (2-for-5) would tack on his 11th RBI of the year on a single through the middle to score pinch-hitter Spencer Haynes (2-for-2). First baseman James Vasquez would manage his 13th RBI of the season with a grounder to second base, but that's all the Knights would get in the frame.
UNF starter Michael Renner (2-0) kept the Knights' bats at bay in his seven innings of scoreless ball. The lefty scattered just four hits, walked a pair and struck out four.
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.