May 16, 2015
5/16/15 at USF - Images by UCF Knights
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - With the series on the line, UCF loaded the bases in the ninth inning with one out, but USF forced a double play to hand the Knights a 5-4 loss Saturday afternoon. Sophomore left fielder Eugene Vazquez recorded two hits including a two-RBI triple at the USF Baseball Complex.
The ninth frame started with a pinch-hit single by sophomore designated player Matt Diorio before senior shortstop Dylan Moore reached on an error on a sac bunt attempt. The Bulls walked senior right fielder Erik Barber to load the bases before a ground ball to the second baseman ended the contest.
Senior catcher Jordan Savinon brought the Knights to within one run in the eighth inning with a solo homer to right field. It was his fifth of the season and second of the weekend off USF ace Jimmy Herget.
Six innings were logged by sophomore Robby Howell (5-8), who fanned six batters and received the loss. Senior Spencer Davis threw the final two innings and registered one strikeout.
UCF (31-25, 10-14 The American) earned the seventh seed in the American Athletic Conference Championship in Clearwater, Fla., which sets up a matchup with No. 2 East Carolina at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Following freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh being hit by a pitch and senior catcher Jordan Savinon drawing a walk in the second inning, the Knights took advantage of the opportunity when Vazquez registered a two-out triple to right center.
USF (32-22-1, 13-11 The American) responded in the bottom-half with three two-out singles to take a 3-2 advantage. The Bulls tacked on a pair of runs on three hits to extend the lead to 5-2.
After sophomore third baseman Kam Gellinger reached on a one-out error, Moore executed a hit and run to put runners at first and third. A sac fly delivered by senior center fielder Derrick Salberg cut the USF lead to 5-3.
The victory was recorded by starter Casey Mulholland (5-7), who notched five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings of work. USF was paced at the plate with two hits and two RBI delivered by Kyle Teaf, while Like Maglich tallied a two-run single.