May 8, 2015
Stats
NOTE: The young fan, Everett, that was hit by a foul ball earlier in the year vs. Presbyterian (Mar. 22) attended tonight's game and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Knights were thankful to see him back at the ballpark with a smile on his face as he was a part of the team during the national anthem and introduction. A full photo gallery is at the bottom of the page(Twitter link).
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF senior right-handed pitcher Zach Rodgers struck out 10 in his second-consecutive game and provided eight strong innings in a 10-2 victory over Memphis to open the final home series Friday at the UCF Baseball Complex. The Knights used a seven-run fourth inning to erase a 2-0 deficit and take control of the contest.
"Rodgers was great tonight once again. He gave up those runs early, but just continued to compete and made pitches when he needed to," head coach Terry Rooney said. "It was a tremendous team win and took everyone. Everybody contributed up and down the lineup and obviously, Rodgers set the tone against a very good Memphis team."
The Knights' starter improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in league action, while racking up his fourth 10-plus strikeout performance in six starts in The American. The Glendale, Ariz., native induced a pair of double plays as the Tigers scattered eight hits.
"We had a very good approach offensively and got the big hit," Rooney added. "As everybody knows, it is kind of something that has eluded us a little bit in the last couple of weeks. We put together some consecutive good at bats and gained momentum."
UCF (29-21, 8-11 The American) was led at the plate by senior center fielder Derrick Salberg, who tallied a pair of hits and drove in two runs. Multi-hit games were also notched by senior right fielder Erik Barber, left fielder JoMarcos Woods and sophomore third baseman Kam Gellinger.
The Knights' out-hit the Tigers, 11-8, but the only extra-base hit was registered by Gellinger to leadoff the eighth inning. He eventually came around to score the 10th run on single by Salberg.
After Memphis (32-16, 10-9 The American) struck first with single runs in the second and third innings, UCF responded by batting around in the bottom of the fourth and scored seven times on six hits. The Knights loaded the bases with back-to-back, one-out singles by Barber and senior first baseman James Vasquez followed by a walk issued to senior second baseman Tommy Williams.
A lined single to right by sophomore designated player Matt Diorio drove in the first run, then a throwing error on a fielder's choice put the Knights on top, 3-2. Woods laid down an RBI bunt single to up the lead to 4-2.
The bases were loaded again with one out when Gellinger registered a bunt base hit in front of the plate. After a passed ball, Salberg came through with a clutch two-run single through the left side, 7-2.
The Knights loaded the bases in the sixth frame with a leadoff single by Woods and walks drawn by Gellinger and Salberg. A bases loaded walk was drawn by Barber for the first run before a passed ball extended the lead to 9-2.
Senior righty Tanner Olsen was handed the ball in the ninth and registered a three up, three down frame to secure the Knights win.
Memphis was paced by Darien Tubbs and Carter White with two hits each. Tubbs struck a solo homer to open the scoring in the second inning. The loss was handed to Alex Gunn (5-1), who gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings of work.
UCF will honor its 13 seniors at 3:30 p.m. Saturday prior to first pitch at 4 p.m. Single-game tickets for the 2015 baseball season are currently on sale by clicking here or calling 407-823-1000.
5/8/15 - vs. Memphis - Images by UCF Knights