March 17, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - No. 7 UCF totaled a season-high 20 hits in an 18-13 victory Tuesday at Bethune-Cookman. Senior third baseman Tommy Williams paced the offense by going 6-for-7 with a homer and two doubles along with four RBI at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The six hits for Williams, who extend his hitting streak to 19 games, were a career best and the first time a Knight accomplished the feat since Eric Riggs vs. Stetson (4/10/98). The North Palm Beach, Fla., native also recently hit for the cycle vs. Fairfield (3/13/15).
"Over the course of a 56-game regular season, every team in the country is going to go through highs and lows and ups and downs," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Right now, our offense is incredible and is doing a terrific job this season. Our pitching is struggling over the past couple of games, but we are going to get better. The bottom line is our guys are finding ways to win."
The Knights (18-4) held a 14-3 advantage after seven frames before Bethune-Cookman (6-16) recorded a seven-run eighth inning and added three runs in the ninth. UCF tallied three doubles, three triples and three homers in the contest.
Sophomore second baseman Kam Gellinger recorded a career-high three hits and five RBI. The Cape Coral, Fla., native joined his teammates freshman Logan Heiser and senior Dylan Moore as Knights that have driven in five runs in a game this year.
Round trippers were notched by senior right fielder Erik Barber, center fielder JoMarcos Woods and Williams. Barber added three hits and two RBI, while Woods drove in three runs on a pair of hits.
The 12th multi-hit game of the campaign was registered by senior shortstop Dylan Moore with two base knocks.
Junior righty Ryan Meyer (2-0) picked up his second win against the Wildcats after tossing 2 2/3 innings of relief, while senior Zach Rodgers closed the game for his first save of the year. The starter, freshman Kyle Marsh, went three frames and yielded one hit.
The Knights struck for three runs on three hits in the first inning. Following a Moore single, Woods delivered a triple over the center fielder's head. He trotted home on the third homer of the season by Williams.
UCF extended its lead to 4-0 in the second inning on a run-scoring double by Williams.
A five-run fourth frame put the Knights in control of the contest. Gellinger doubled home a run to right center prior to Barber notching a triple to right. The lead increased to 7-0 on a single to right by senior first baseman James Vasquez.
Following a double by Heiser, Woods clubbed a round tripper to right center, 9-0. It was his second of the campaign.
Bethune-Cookman scored three runs on a pair of hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Barber provided the response with a solo homer to right to lead off the next frame.
The Knights started the seventh inning with Woods reaching on an error and Williams picking up his second double of the contest. Marsh tallied a two-run single to left center that extended the advantage to 12-3. Gellinger finished the frame with a two-run triple to right center.
After the Wildcats cut the lead to 14-10, the offense went back to work in the ninth inning as Marsh walked, senior pinch hitter Jordan Savinon singled through the right side and an error loaded the bases. Gellinger's base knock up the middle, extended the lead to 16-10. An RBI ground out by sophomore Brooks Morgan and single from Williams upped the advantage to 18-10.
Bethune-Cookman was led by Jose Carballo with four hits and a pair of RBI, while three runs were driven in by Jameel Edney. The loss was given to Sidney Dupree (3-0), who tossed the first inning and fanned one.
The Knights return to the UCF Baseball Complex on Friday at 6:30 p.m. to start a three-game series with Presbyterian. Saturday's contest begins at 4 p.m., while the finale on Sunday is set at 1 p.m.
Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.