March 10, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Despite facing a 5-0 deficit after two innings, No. 6 UCF scored in seven-straight frames and tallied a game-high 15 hits in an 11-8 loss at No. 11 Florida State Tuesday. Senior center fielder Derrick Salberg registered two hits and three RBI to pace the Knights, while senior shortstop Dylan Moore tallied three base knocks.
"I am so proud of how our team battled and continued to fight back," head coach Terry Rooney said. "It is a quality and characteristic that we have shown all year. We have a tremendous offense and a group of kids collectively that continue to fight and believe."
UCF (14-3) started a two-out rally in the ninth on back-to-back doubles from freshman Kyle Marsh and senior first baseman James Vasquez to cut the deficit to three. A walk drawn by senior left fielder JoMarcos Woods brought the game-tying run to the plate before the Seminoles' closer Billy Strode notched his seventh save.
Florida State scored in each of the first five innings on its way to an 11-3 advantage. John Sansone hit a solo homer, while Dylan Busby, Josh Delph, Chris Marconcini and Taylor Walls each drove in a pair of runs.
Woods registered his first homer of the season in the sixth inning. The two-run shot scored senior catcher Jordan Savinon, who went 2-for-2 in the contest, and at the time cut the FSU lead to 11-5.
A pair of doubles were recorded by sophomore second baseman Kam Gellinger, who scored twice, while driving home a run each were Savinon and Vasquez.
Logging five innings and striking out six in relief, senior right-handed pitcher Spencer Davis provided the Knights with an opportunity to make a comeback. Freshman righty Kyle Marsh made the start and went two innings with three strikeouts. The first reliever out of the bullpen was senior lefty Parker Thomas, who recorded 1 1/3 innings.
The victory went to Alec Byrd (3-0), who went four innings and struck out one. Dan Silva, one of the four lefties FSU used on the mound, tallied five strikeouts in 2 1/3 frames.
Notes
-This is the first matchup between UCF and FSU where the Knights are the higher-ranked team.
-Gellinger had two doubles in the game and all three of his hits this year are two baggers.
-The homer run by Woods was the third of his career and first this season.
-Seniors third baseman Tommy Williams extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
The Knights finish the two-game series at No. 11 Florida State on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The contest is set to broadcast on ESPN3.
UCF welcomes Fairfield for a weekend series with the first pitch on Friday set for 6:30 p.m. The middle game begins on Saturday at 4 p.m., while the finale starts at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.