April 10, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - No. 12 UCF was unable to complete a late-inning comeback in a 6-4 loss to open a three-game series with UConn on Friday. Senior catcher Jordan Savinon blasted a two-run homer and drove in a total of three runs to lead the Knights.
The Knights (24-11, 3-4 The American) stranded a season-high 15 runners in the contest, including the bases loaded in the sixth and eighth innings. UCF had the game-tying run on base in the eighth and ninth innings.
Seniors shortstop Dylan Moore and right fielder Erik Barber each picked up two hits, while UCF totaled a game-high 11 base knocks.
Freshman Cre Finfrock (6-2) was tagged with the loss after going 5 1/3 with three strikeouts. A pair of double plays were induced by senior lefty Parker Thomas over his 2 2/3 innings of work, while senior southpaw Harrison Hukari worked a perfect ninth inning.
The Huskies (21-12, 4-3 The American) opened the scoring with a three-run first, capped by a two-RBI triple by Bryan Daneillo.
In the fourth inning, Barber tallied a one-out single to right center. A base knock by sophomore designated hitter Matt Diorio followed before Savinon singled through the right side to put UCF on the board, 3-1.
UConn responded in the fifth frame by loading the bases and plating a run on a single by Bobby Melley, 4-1.
After the Huskies extended their lead to 6-1 in the eighth inning, the Knights responded with Diorio drawing a leadoff walk and Savinon delivering an opposite field homer to left center. The rally continued when Moore singled up the middle and an error kept the frame alive.
Back-to-back walks drawn by seniors third baseman Tommy Williams and first baseman James Vasquez cut the UConn lead to 6-4.
A pinch-hit single by freshman Logan Heiser and walk drawn by senior left fielder JoMarcos Woods began a two-out rally in the ninth inning. Patrick Routolo was able to close the door for his fourth save of the year.
The Huskies' Carson Cross (7-1) picked up the victory with six strikeouts over seven innings. Melley totaled three hits, while Jon Testanini and Daniello each drove in three runs.
The first pitch on Saturday is set for 1 p.m. with sophomore Robby Howell (4-3, 5.05 ERA, 32 K) going up against Anthony Kay (4-3, 1.17 ERA, 57 K) on the hill. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.