May 4, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Eric DeSalvo
UCFAthletics.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On an unseasonably cool and wet night with temperatures in the upper 50s, the No. 30 UCF baseball team dropped Game 2 at No. 8 Florida State, 6-1, from Dick Howser Stadium.
With uncharacteristic mistakes on the base paths and the pitcher's mound, the Knights (26-21) saw their record on Saturday's drop to 8-4. Catcher Chris Taladay (3-for-4) was able to notch his 17th multiple-hit game, and has now reached safely in 28 straight.
The series finale is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday, and can be seen online on ESPN3 and on your mobile device via WatchESPN. Marc Daniels will also be on the call on 740-AM The Game.
UCF got the scoring started in the third inning, taking advantage of an FSU miscue in the field that saw Austin Johnston reach second base to lead off the frame. After a Tommy Williams groundout advanced him to third, right fielder Erik Hempe (1-for-4, RBI) obliterated the first pitch he saw and sent it to the right-center gap for his team-leading 14th double and a 1-0 lead.
After the Seminoles (37-9) answered right back with a run on two hits in the bottom of the third, they were able to make starter Chris Matulis (5-3) throw 29 pitches in the fourth, including a bases-loaded walk prior to the redshirt senior getting out of the jam with a flyout to Hempe in right.
Things got away from Matulis and the Knights in the fifth inning as seven straight batters reached in the frame that saw the Seminoles get four runs on two hits, but also take advantage of a fielding error, two walks and two hit batsmen.
That would be all of the scoring in the contest for Florida State as UCF RHP Danny Davis went 3 2/3 innings in relief of Matulis, not allowing a run while giving up one hit, walking four and striking out a pair.
FSU LHP Brandon Leibrandt was able to keep the Knights' bats at bay, scattering five hits and an unearned run while walking one and striking out nine for his seventh win of the season.
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.