Feb. 21, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
Stats: HTML | PDF - VIDEO: Arkansas Postgame
MOBILE, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) - With two outs and the bases loaded, UCF freshman pitcher Kyle Marsh was able to generate a ground ball to short to clinch a 7-6 victory over No. 11 Maryland on Saturday afternoon. The 22nd-ranked Knights topped their second ranked opponent in as many days at Stanky Field after topping No. 15 Arkansas, 9-5, on Feb. 20.
"This is the epitome of a team win because to me this season has been about a collection of guys rising up to the occasion - both offensively and on the mound," head coach Terry Rooney said. "We certainly got off to a good start offensively and showed great poise and confidence at the end of the game."
Freshman righty Cre Finfrock (2-0) tossed 5.2 innings and registered three punch outs for UCF (6-0). Classmate Kyle Marsh came in to tally the final two outs for his first career save.
The Port Orange, Fla., native came in with runners on the corners and one out in the top of the ninth. Maryland (4-0) notched two consecutive hits to place the game-tying run at second.
Then, Anthony Papio singled to right, but the runner was held up at third base and senior Erik Barber hit his cutoff senior shortstop Dylan Moore, who tagged out the runner caught between second and third base. A walk loaded the bases before Marsh notched the final outs to preserve the win.
Freshman catcher Logan Heiser tallied a two-run homer to left in the fourth inning for his first round tripper as a Knight.
Leading off the first frame was senior second baseman Dylan Moore with a double down the left field line. He moved to third on a ground out and crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Barber.
In the third inning, the Knights tacked on two more with a single by Moore and a hit-and-run by senior outfielder Derrick Salberg placed a pair of runners in scoring position. Barber stretched the Knights' lead to 3-0 on a single to center.
Maryland threatened in the fourth inning on a single and hit by pitch with no outs. Then, shortstop Moore charged on a slow roller and flipped to the second baseman Marsh, who threw a dart to first for the double play. A fly out ended the frame.
With UCF holding a 5-0 lead, the Terapins struck for two runs on a pair of hits in the sixth inning. Finfrock was chased with two outs and senior Parker Thomas came on to record the final out.
The Knights continued battling in the seventh and Moore started off a rally with a single to center field. Salberg drew a walk and a sac bunt from Barber placed two runners in scoring position.
After an intentional walk to load the bases, Williams came up and singled to left, scoring a pair of runs, including the game-winner.
The loss was tagged to Tayler Stiles (0-1), who fanned three in four innings of work. Tim Lewis and Kevin Martir knocked in two runs each for the Terapins.
Notes
-The Knights notched back-to-back wins over a ranked opponent for the first time since Louisville (4/14/14).
-UCF picked up its second win of the year against a ranked opponent with the first being No. 15 Arkansas, 9-5, yesterday.
-The home run for Heiser was his first of his collegiate career.
-Finfrock fanned three and gave up just four hits and two earned runs in 5.2 innings of work.
-Williams tallied his fifth multi-hit and second multi-RBI game of the season.
-Marsh earned his first career save, tossing the final 0.2 innings.
-Moore picked up three hits for the third time this season.
UCF finishes the tournament against host South Alabama on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. An audio broadcast on UCFKnights.com for each game begins 10 minutes prior to first pitch.
After traveling to Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday at 6 p.m., the Knights return home on Feb. 27-Mar. 1 and welcome No. 18 Ole Miss to the UCF Baseball Complex. Be sure to purchase tickets ahead of time to guarantee a seat to watch this top-25 matchup.
Season and single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000. A general admission seat to all 32 homes games can be purchased for $75. There are also reserved and chairback seating at the UCF Baseball Complex.