May 2, 2015
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF freshman Cre Finfrock tossed his first-career complete game and added four strikeouts in UCF's 2-1 victory over USF Saturday at the UCF Baseball Complex. Senior shortstop Dylan Moore scored on a shallow sac fly to right center by senior right fielder Erik Barber in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie.
"When the ball went up in the air, I went back to the bag and it wasn't as deep as I thought," Moore said. "As soon as he caught it, I put my head down and ran. I noticed that the catcher was up the line a little bit, so I went around him and luckily was safe."
That seventh inning for UCF (28-19, 7-10 The American) started with a walk issued to Moore, who took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a fly out to right center by senior James Vasquez.
The complete game by Finfrock was the first by a UCF freshman since Ben Lively recorded one against Wagner (3/21/11). The Jensen Beach, Fla., native allowed six hits and walked two, but induced a pair of double plays to help end USF (28-28, 9-8 The American) rallies.
"When you take all of Cre's starts, I think every start is what you would consider a quality start," head coach Terry Rooney said. "To me a quality start is giving your team a chance to win and Cre has done that in every single game. We have not given him a lot of run support, but that shows the tremendous composure and poise that he has particularly for a young guy."
USF recorded back-to-back singles to start the second inning, then the Knights turned a 6-3 double play on a ground ball to Moore, who stepped on the bag and threw to first. The Bulls recorded a two-out single by Luke Borders to score first.
In the bottom-half, the Knights responded as three-straight walks were drawn by freshman catcher Logan Heiser, senior center fielder Derrick Salberg and freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh. Sophomore third baseman Kam Gellinger came through with a sac fly to right to knot the contest, 1-1.
UCF had opportunities to take the lead in the fourth and sixth innings, but left a pair of runner stranded each time.
"We certainly had opportunities earlier in the game and unfortunately, we did not get it done, but we got it done when we needed to," Rooney said. "A couple of older guys got on base and drove in the runs. We had some great at bats when we needed them the most."
After a walk started the Bulls' eighth inning, Finfrock induced a ground ball to Moore, who just like the second inning turned a double play. It erased the only runner that reached base for USF since the fifth inning.
Ryan Valdez tossed six innings for USF and gave up four hits, but walk six to earn a no decision. The loss was handed to Michael Farley (3-2), who pitched the final two frames and fanned two. Andrew Leal paced the Bulls' offense with a pair of hit.
The Knights look for the series sweep of rival USF on Championship Sunday with sophomore Robby Howell taking the mound for UCF. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.
UCF clinched the series vs. USF with a 2-1 victory behind a complete game from Cre Finfrock. #ChargeOn
Posted by UCF Baseball on Saturday, May 2, 2015