Rodgers Leads UCF to Shutout against USF, 3-0

May 1, 2015

Final Stats

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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF senior Zach Rodgers struck out 10 batters in eight innings of work to aid the Knights to a 3-0 victory on Friday night against conference-rival USF. Back-to-back homers to right field by senior first baseman James Vasquez and Barber were blasted with one-out in the first inning at the UCF Baseball Complex.

"That was a team win in all aspects," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Rodgers obviously threw great and put up some zeros like his has done all year. We had great defense from start to finish and had some clutch hits. JV [Vasquez] got us going early in the game. Barber followed him up. The guys were able to take a deep breath and had some very good at bats against an outstanding USF pitcher."

Rodgers moved to 8-0 on the season and yielded four hits during his outing for UCF (27-19, 6-10 The American). The final three outs were tallied by senior left Harrison Hukari, who fanned one to pick up his fourth save of the season.

The Knights registered their second-consecutive Friday night victory against USF (28-17, 9-7 The American). UCF topped the Bulls, 2-0, last year (4/4/14) in the first three-game set between the rivals since 1986.

With one-out in the first inning, Vasquez pulled a 3-2 offering over the fence in right, then Barber took a pitch the opposite way over the right field wall. It was the second time UCF had back-to-back homers this year with freshman Kyle Marsh and senior Tommy Williams accomplishing the feat vs. Houston (3/31/15).

After Rodgers worked out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning, UCF manufactured a run on a sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Dylan Moore, 3-0. Sophomore third baseman Kam Gellinger started the frame with a one-out single to center, then took third on a hit-and-run through the right side executed by senior right fielder JoMarcos Woods.

A pitching duel between Rodgers and USF's Jimmy Herget ensued for the next four innings with no more than one runner reaching base. Herget (7-2) went six innings and fanned five for the Bulls.

The Knights' defense made a few key plays with senior center fielder Derrick Salberg running down a fly ball in right center and third baseman Gellinger catching a line shot during the sixth inning. The seventh inning ended with right fielder Barber making a sliding catch in foul territory up.

Barber made a clutch catch up against the right field fence with a runner on and no outs in the ninth inning to keep the shutout in tact for the Knights.

USF's offense was paced by Luke Malich with two base hits, while the lone extra-base knock was a double by Austin Lueck.

The Knights continue their three-game set with USF on Saturday at 4 p.m. with freshman Cre Finfrock taking on Casey Mulholland. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.