April 24, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Representing the game-tying run with two outs and a runner on second in the ninth inning, UCF senior first baseman James Vasquez connected on a line-drive that just cleared the fence in right field to knot the contest at five on Friday night. ECU prevailed, 6-5, in the bottom of the 10th inning with a two-out, walk-off single up the middle by Eric Tyler.
The game-winning hit was set up by a Hunter Allen lead-off single, sac bunt and groundout to move to third at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
UCF (26-17, 5-8 The American) tallied 13 hits and was led by Vasquez with a game-high four. Multi-hit games were also added by seniors right fielder Erik Barber and center fielder Derrick Salberg, while senior third baseman Tommy Williams drove in two runs on a pair of hits.
The Knights escaped a situation in the bottom of the ninth inning with runners at the corners and no outs to send the game to extra frames. Senior shortstop Dylan Moore fielded a chopper and threw home to freshman catcher Logan Heiser, who applied the tag for the first out. A pair of strikeouts were notched by senior lefty Harrison Hukari to end the frame.
UCF had an opportunity to take the lead in the 10th inning with Williams drawing a walk to start the frame and advancing to second on a sac bunt, but the Knights left their 11th runner on base.
In the the ninth inning, a pinch-hit single by senior Jordan Savinon started the rally, then Moore connected on a double to the right-center gap, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Vasquez drilled a laser over the fence in right for his sixth round tripper of the season to tie it.
The Knights struck first in the opening frame with back-to-back singles by Vasquez and Barber setting the table for Williams, who pushed a run across with one-out single to left. UCF was unable to extend its advantage.
East Carolina (27-16, 7-6 The American) responded by taking advantage of an error and scoring two runs on three hits.
In the top of third inning, Barber began a two-out rally with a double to right center. A two-bagger was dropped in down the right field line by Williams to knot the contest, 2-2.
The Pirates took the lead in the fifth frame with two runs on three hits and one error, then tacked on another run in the seventh inning, 5-3.
ECU was led by Charles Yorgen and Kirk Morgan with three hits each, while Eric Tyler and Luke Lower each drove in a pair. Nick Durazo (3-0) notched the victory with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings.
The loss was charged to senior lefty Harrison Hukari (4-3), who went 1 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Senior Zach Rodgers started and went 4 2/3 frames with one strikeout.
The Knights return home for Game Show Night on Friday at 6:30 p.m. to host in-state rival USF for a series. The Knights are also hosting a golf scramble on May 2, click here for details. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.