March 28, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Facing a 6-1 deficit entering the bottom of the eighth inning, No. 6 UCF rallied for four runs including a three-run double by senior JoMarcos Woods to cut the deficit to 6-5 Saturday. The Knights had the game-tying run at second base before No. 15 Houston secured the 7-5 win at Jay Bergman Field.
The rubber match of the three-game series between the two preseason favorites in the American Athletic Conference is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
Prior to the contest on Military Appreciation Day, senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Meyer saw his brother, Doug, who served two tours of duty, throw out the first pitch. Read about his well-deserved recognition by clicking here.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Robby Howell (4-2) went seven innings for the Knights and struck out four batters, while yielding three runs. UCF also saw seniors Parker Thomas, Tanner Olson and Zach Rodgers on the hill.
The Knights left 10 runners on base and had two opportunities to take an early lead. UCF (21-7, 1-1 The American) had two runners in scoring position with one out in the first and third inning, but were unable to strike first.
After Houston (19-8, 1-1 The American) manufactured a run with two hits and a pair of sac bunts in the fifth inning, senior shortstop Dylan Moore answered with a solo home run to right center. It was his team-leading eighth round tripper of the season.
The Cougars retook the lead in the sixth frame on a two-run homer by Chris Iriart, 3-1. Howell ended the frame for the Knights with back-to-back punch outs.
Houston extended the advantage to 6-1 with a two hits and an error in the eighth inning. The Cougars took advantage of two walks and a pair of wild pitches.
In the bottom-half, senior right fielder Erik Barber started a rally with a double down the left field line. A single from sophomore designated hitter Matt Diorio placed runners at the corners. Following a passed ball that allowed Vasquez to reach, freshman catcher Logan Heiser hit a sac fly to cut the deficit to 6-2.
With the bases loaded and two outs following a hit batter, Woods, who singled in the third, doubled into the left-center gap to clear the bases and cut the Houston advantage to 6-5.
Ashord Fulmer extended the Cougars' lead to 7-5 with a homer to left center to start the ninth inning.
The victory was notched by Kyle Dowdy (3-0), who tossed seven innings and struck out three. Seth Romero finished the contest with seven strikeouts to earn his fourth save.
Josh Vidales led the Cougars' offense with three hits, while two-hit and two-RBI games were recorded by Chris Iriart and Connor Wong.