March 21, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After waking off on Friday, No. 7 UCF was unable to complete a ninth inning comeback in an 8-6 loss to Presbyterian on Saturday. Senior right fielder Erik Barber blasted a career-best two round trippers and drove in four runs, while freshman pinch hitter Logan Heiser started off the Knights' final at bat with a homer to left.
A two-hit performance was also tallied by sophomore second baseman Brooks Morgan.
The Knights (19-5) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Senior center fielder Derrick Salberg beat out an infield single, stole second and scored on a base hit by sophomore designated hitter Matt Diorio. After a walk drawn by senior first baseman James Vasquez, Barber connected on his first homer, a three-run shot, to left.
Presbyterian (15-8) swung the momentum in the third inning by batting around and scoring seven runs off sophomore Robby Howell (4-1). The Blue Hose recorded five singles and one double.
After registering the final two outs in the third, senior lefty Parker Thomas finished the contest with two strikeouts in a career-best 6 2/3 innings of work.
PC extended its lead to 8-6 in the fourth inning. In the bottom-half, Barber delivered a home run that went off the foul pole down the left field line. The round tripper was his sixth of the season.
The Blue Hose were led offensively by Jay Lizanich, Peter Johnson, Cam McRae, Brandon Martin and Rob Koski with two hit games. Ryan Hedrick and Lizanich each drove in a pair of runs. The victory was notched by David Sauer (3-1), who went six innings and fanned five, while Brian Kehner finished the contest to earn his second save.
The rubber match of the three-game set begins 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.