Feb. 19, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Freshman left fielder Matthew Mika came through with a walk-off single to cap a 3-for-5, 3 RBI, collegiate debut to propel UCF over Siena, 10-9, on Opening Knight presented by CFE. The Knights faced a 9-5 deficit entering the bottom of the ninth, batted around and strung together seven hits to complete the come back at the UCF Baseball Complex.
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With the bases loaded, one out and the crowd of 1,809 on its feet, Mika took the second pitch he saw to right center as junior Brennan Bozeman came around to score. The freshman was mobbed at second base by the whole team.
"I have to give it to my teammates. We battled and kept giving the bat to the next guy," said Mika. "We chipped away and made it happen."
The rookie was then given a shaving-cream pie in the face from behind by junior Eli Putnam before continuing his interview.
"That was the epitome of a team win. We talked about the strength of this team is their business-like approach, confidence and playing one pitch at a time," head coach Terry Rooney said. "There was no panic in the dugout and the guys were supporting each other."
Junior Kam Gellinger also picked up three hits and drove in four with two doubles and a homer for UCF (1-0). The victory was given to sophomore Eric Hepple, who sent the Saints (0-1) down in order in the top of the ninth.
A solid outing was registered by sophomore righty Cre Finfrock, who went five-plus innings and struck out nine. The Saints used a two-run homer in the sixth frame by Jordan Folgers to tie the contest and consecutive miscues by the Knights led to an eight-run inning.
The series between the Knights and Saints continues on Saturday with a 4 p.m. start. The pitching matchup features junior Robby Howell going up against Kyano Cummings.
Magic Mika
- Freshman Matthew Mika finished 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three RBI.
- The Lake Worth, Fla., native delivered the Knights' first run of the year with a round tripper to left in the third frame.
- Mika also used his speed on a double steal to take third base in first inning.
- He registered a sacrifice fly in the Knights' two-run sixth.
"For my first night, I couldn't have done it without my teammates. We did everything as a team and came back as a team. Our pitchers came in, battled and threw strikes. We just came out on top."
- Matthew Mika
"Mika is a great player and we have talked about the contributions that he could make. For a freshman to lead off and have all of those key hits it shows that he is a great player. He is without question one of the best freshmen in the country."
- Terry Rooney
Rally in the Ninth
- The momentum swung towards the Knights when Luke Hamblin, Matt Diorio, Logan Heiser and Austin Griffin started the frame with singles to cut the deficit to 9-6.
- Junior Brennan Bozeman hit a base knock down the right-field line.
- A two-run double by Gellinger knotted the contest at nine-all.
- Following a walk, Mika delivered the game-winning base knock.