March 7, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - No. 9 UCF scored four times in the first inning on its way to a 5-1 victory over Columbia on Saturday at the UCF Baseball Complex. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cre Finfrock notched his fourth victory of the campaign, finishing with four strikeouts in six innings.
"Cre Finfrock really battled and made some pitches when he needed to tonight. He has done a tremendous job in our rotation," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Harry [Hukari] did at the end of the game, what he has been doing all season. We got some clutch hits early in the game when we needed them."
Junior lefty Harrison Hukari pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning and finished the contest to earn his second save of the campaign. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native tallied three strikeouts in 2.1 frames of work.
The Knights spread the offense around with eight different batters picking up a base knock. Five UCF players - senior third baseman Tommy Williams, catcher Jordan Savinon, first baseman James Vasquez, sophomore designated hitter Matt Diorio and freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh - each drove in a run.
"We came out strong and put runs on the board early," said Vasquez. "And just set the tone for the night. It was good to get the win."
With the first two Lions reaching base to start the game, a ground ball hit to the first baseman Vasquez turned into a 3-6-1 double play. Finfrock ended the threat with a pop out to center, stranding a runner at third.
Senior shortstop Dylan Moore started the Knights off by taking the first pitch into the left-center gap for a stand-up double. A walk to senior right fielder Erik Barber and Diorio being hit by a pitch loaded the bases.
Coming up with a single through the left side was Williams to put the Knights up 1-0. Marsh notched a run-scoring base hit through the right side and Savinon drew a bases loaded walk, 3-0. A long single to right center by Vasquez increased the UCF advantage to 4-0.
"The lead gave me comfort to throw with confidence," said Finfrock. "I knew that if my pitches aren't there, then I can count on my defense to make plays."
Savinon ended the third inning with a caught stealing at second base.
Columbia tallied three hits in the fourth frame to load the bases before a ground out by Randell Kanemaru pushed the Lions' lone run across the plate, 4-1.
The Knights respond with a run of their own in the bottom-half on a run-producing single by Diorio. UCF took advantage of a trio of walks and an error in the frame to take a 5-1 lead.
The loss was credited to Kevin Roy (0-1), who lasted 3.2 innings and fanned two.
UCF and Columbia continue the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. with sophomore righty Robby Howell earning the starting nod for the Knights.
Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.