April 26, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Down 6-2 entering the ninth inning, No. 24 UCF rallied for three runs on four hits and had the potential game-tying run at third base, but came up short in a 6-5 loss at East Carolina Sunday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
The comeback for the Knights began with a double to right center by senior left fielder JoMarcos Woods, then back-to-back singles by seniors Dylan Moore and James Vasquez pushed the first run across, 6-3. A line shot off the bat of senior right fielder Eric Barber that would have gone up the middle was snagged by the pitcher and turned into a double play.
UCF (26-19, 5-10 The American) continued to battle with senior left fielder Tommy Williams registering his third double of the game to cut the deficit to 6-4. A pair of walks drawn by seniors Jordan Savinon and Derrick Salberg loaded the bases before a passed ball brought the Knights within one, 6-5. Freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh walked to reload the bases before a fly out secured the series sweep for the Pirates (29-16, 9-6 The American).
Vasquez recorded his 200th-career hit with a double in the sixth inning and finished with three hits, while Salberg, Woods and Williams also recorded multi-hit games.
After a four-run first inning, sophomore right-handed pitcher Robby Howell (4-6) settled down and tossed six innings with three strikeouts. Senior lefty Parker Thomas threw a pair of scoreless innings.
ECU opened the scoring in the first inning with four runs capped by a three-run homer by Luke Lowery. The Pirates extended the advantage to 5-0 in the next frame by taking advantage of a walk and error.
Marsh started the third inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sac bunt by sophomore third baseman Kam Gellinger. A single up the middle by Woods put the Knights on the board, 1-0. The Knights ended the frame with runners on the corners following a Vasquez single.
The fourth inning started with a lead-off double to left center by Williams. He scored on a double down the left field line by Salberg. Two more runners would be stranded as the Knights left eight runners on base during the contest.
UCF once again rallied in the fifth frame with a one-out single by Barber and double drilled to left by Williams. The Pirates turned a double play on a fly out to end the threat.
A pair of singles turned into a run for the Pirates in the bottom-half, extending their lead to 6-2.
East Carolina received 6 2/3 innings and two strikeouts from lefty Jacob Wolf (3-1), who notched the victory. Charlie Yorgen and Lowery each added two hits.
The Knights return home for Game Show Night on Friday at 6:30 p.m. against in-state rival USF for a series. The Knights are also hosting a golf scramble on Saturday, click here for details. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.