Feb. 26, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Behind a 10-strikeout performance over seven innings by sophomore Cre Finfrock, UCF improved to 6-0 with a 4-3 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday at Whataburger Field. The Islanders had the game-tying run at second base when senior Harrison Hukari came in to notch the final out and his first save of the season.
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"These guys are a great team and are playing together, picking each other up and being positive," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Those are a lot of great qualities. It is early in the year, but they have definitely demonstrated the ability to come from behind and hold leads.
"It starts with Cre Finfrock. I thought that it was one of the best outings of his career. He mixed his pitches and did a tremendous job."
UCF scored all its runs in the fourth inning on a pair of clutch two-run singles by junior infielders Brennan Bozeman and Ryan Crile. Crile notched the lone multi-hit game against AMCC (3-2).
The Knights continue the Kleberg Bank College Classic in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday against Texas State with the first pitch set for 3 p.m. The tournament wraps up for UCF against Michigan State on Sunday at noon.
UCF returns home on Tuesday for a showdown against No. 1 Florida at 6:30 p.m. With a capacity crowd expected, fans are encouraged to purchase advanced tickets by clicking here.
Four-Run Fourth
- With UCF down 1-0 in the fourth inning, two-run base hits were delivered by Brennan Bozeman and Ryan Crile.
- Walks drawn by Logan Heiser and Austin Griffin started the frame before a passed ball moved both into scoring position.
- Bozeman, the next batter, worked a 2-1 count before sending a ball up the middle into center field as UCF took a 2-1 lead.
- After Eugene Vazquez reached on an error to extend the frame, Crile made the Islanders pay with a two-out, two-run RBI single to right, which extended the Knights' advantage to 4-1.
"We like to call it the juice in the dugout. Once we get some guys on, our dugout starts getting excited and creating energy. It just piles up and we keep using the momentum to create big innings."
-SS Brennan Bozeman
"We are finding ways. At the end of the day, you are not going to score double digits every game. Particularly on Friday night, where everyone is throwing their best guy. You have to play smart, be aggressive and take advantage of what is given to you."
-HC Terry Rooney
Finfrocking
- Cre Finfrock registered one of his best performances as a Knight with 10 strikeouts in seven innings of work.
- After the Islanders picked up two hits included a homer in the first frame, the Jensen Beach, Fla., native allowed just one base knock over the next six frames.
- Campbell Scholl came on to pitch 1 2/3 frames and recorded two strikeouts before the Islanders had the game-tying run in scoring position with two away.
- Needing just one out, Harrison Hukari induced a ground ball to end the contest.
"Today, I really worked on my off-speed pitches. After giving up that one-out home run, I settled in after that and pounded the zone and let my defense do the work behind me."
-RHP Cre Finfrock