March 1, 2014
Final Stats
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFKnights.com
OXFORD, Miss. (UCFKnights.com) - Leading 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the UCF baseball team saw No. 24 Ole Miss plate two of its own in the bottom-half of the frame to force extras and then win in walk-off fashion in the 13th inning to take Game 1 in the series, 4-3.
Despite matching the Rebels (9-1) step-for-step in the four hour, 28 minute contest, the Knights (6-3) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.
Game 2 is slated for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, and can be heard online via UCF All-Access subscription. Redshirt junior Spencer Davis will take the bump looking for his third victory in as many outings.
In his third Friday night start of the season, LHP Eric Skoglund worked quickly and efficiently, retiring the first 12 hitters he faced and 19 of the first 20 that stepped to the plate. The Sarasota native allowed just six hits and two earned runs to go along with two strikeouts over 7.2 innings before being lifted in the eighth after a Knights' error allowed an unearned run to tie the game at three.
Tied at one in the top half of the eighth, the Knights claimed a two-run lead thanks to a run-scoring wild pitch and a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Dylan Moore. The wild pitch scored junior Sam Tolleson, who had reached earlier in the frame on a single. Moore's RBI plated junior JoMarcos Woods, who singled and later advanced to third on a balk.
Junior Parker Thomas (1-2) was tagged with the loss in the 13th. Thomas, who entered the game with one out in the 11th, gave up a two-out infield single with runners on first and third. Freshman Kam Gellinger's throw across the diamond was close, but the bang-bang play was called safe at first and ended the game.
UCF struck first in the top of the fourth. With runners on first and second and no one out, head coach Terry Rooney called for his cleanup hitter James Vasquez to sacrifice bunt. The move paid dividends as junior Erik Barber stepped in next and plated the game's first run with a sacrifice fly. The RBI was Barber's team-leading 10th of the season and also the first run allowed on the year by Rebels' starter Chris Ellis.
The Black and Gold had numerous opportunities to take the lead in extra innings, putting runners on base in the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th. The Knights best chance to score came in the top of the 13th when freshman Tyler Hayden led off the inning with his first-collegiate hit and was followed by a base hit from Barber. The Knights, however, were unable to successfully move the runners into scoring position by laying down a bunt as the next two hitters struck out before a ground out ended the threat.
To purchase season or single-game tickets, visit our Baseball Ticket Central page, or call the UCFAA Sales & Service Office at (407) UCF-1000. Stay up-to-date on all the latest baseball news by visiting UCFKnights.com and by following the team on Twitter @UCF_Baseball, Facebook and Instagram.