May 2, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The No. 30 UCF baseball team continued its strong play Wednesday night, topping Bethune-Cookman, 8-1, for its sixth straight win in a soggy game from the baseball complex. After it was all said in done, the Knights (26-19) and Wildcats (28-20) worked around 148 minutes of rain delays.
Despite the long evening and stoppage of play, rookie RHP Tyler Martin was unfazed as he went five innings, scattered three hits, handed out one walk and struck out a pair in the first win of his collegiate career.
It was different conditions, but they responded, head coach Terry Rooney said about his team after the contest. We talked about it before the game to prepare them as best we could, and we also let them know that every game matters since we have struggled in the middle of the week. The way these guys have played the last few weeks, they have put themselves in a good position. Tonight was a challenge, and we got it done.
UCF will step out of conference play this weekend as it heads to Tallahassee for an in-state showdown with No. 8 Florida State. All three contests from Dick Howser Stadium can be seen online, and on your mobile device, via WatchESPN.
After waiting 88 minutes from the regularly scheduled start time of 6:30, UCF wasted no time getting on the board as Parker Webster (2-for-4, 3 RBI) teed off on a 1-1 pitch and set it over the left-field fence for a three-run homer in the first inning. It was the second dinger of the year for the Sandy, Utah, native.
After a 60-minute delay saw play resume at 9:19 p.m., Erik Hempe (2-for-4, 2 RBI) made it 4-0 with an RBI grounder to score JoMarcos Woods after he was moved over to third on an Erik Barber (2-for-4, 1 R) double to left field. The Anaheim, Calif., native drove in his second run of the night in the sixth with a single to left-center that would score Woods for the third time in the game.
UCF padded its lead in the seventh, loading the bases for catcher Ryan Breen (1-for-4, 2 RBI) who broke out of his slump with a two-run double to right-center. The Knights would make it 8-0 after passed ball brought home Austin Johnston (1-for-3, 1 R).
On the evening, the Knights used five pitchers to hold the Wildcats to just one run and keep the staff's ERA at 1.00 in the last 36 innings.
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.