March 16, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After tying the game 2-2 in the fourth frame, UCF was unable to complete the comeback in a 5-2 loss to No. 5 Miami on Wednesday at the UCF Baseball Complex. A total of 2,434 fans came out to the game that was presented by Florida Hospital.
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"First off, credit Miami because they did a terrific job and are ranked in the Top 10 in the country for a reason," head coach Terry Rooney said. "I have so much respect for that program because they play the game. If you give them something, then they are going to take advantage of it.
"We need to simply play the game of baseball better and focus on the process of getting better every day. We have to play a couple pitches better every night and it doesn't matter who we are playing."
A stellar start was registered by junior Juan Pimentel, who fanned a career-high seven over 4 2/3 innings. The Knights (10-8) also saw relief appearances from junior Campbell Scholl, Harrison Hukari, Trent Thompson, Drew Faintich and Andrew Deramo against Miami (14-3).
Juniors Eli Putnam and Eugene Vazquez each registered a pair of base hits and scored a run. Vazquez drove in Putnam in the fourth inning, while junior Kam Gellinger pushed across the first run during the second frame with a base hit.
A 20 minute delay occurred in the ninth inning after a power surge on campus turned the lights off at the UCF Baseball Complex.
The Knights resume a seven-game homestand on Friday with a 6:30 p.m. start vs. Brown. UCF takes on Bradley on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. The weekend is rounded out with a 1 p.m. matchup vs. Brown.
Doubling Up The Strikeouts
- Juan Pimentel notched seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings, while allowing just six hits and two earned runs .
- The seven strikeouts doubled his season total to 14.
- The Miami, Fla., native notched three punchouts looking and four swinging.
"Juan was fantastic tonight and pitched great. I thought he made some great adjustments. The things that Juan does well are that he works quick, has a plus tempo and throws strikes. Guys love playing behind him."
-HC Terry Rooney
Stout Defense
- UCF turned a trio of double plays for the second time this season.
- 2B Ryan Crile started a 4-6-3 double play to put two outs on the board in the fourth frame.
- Crile ended the same frame by diving to his left to keep a ball in the infield and then made a strong throw to first base.
- Saving at least one run in the fifth inning was SS Brennan Bozeman, who dove to catch a liner by diving to his right.
- To end the sixth frame, P Harrison Hukari began the second double play of the contest.
- The Knights turned their third double play on an outfield assist by RF Eugene Vazquez and a relay throw to third base by 1B Austin Griffin.
"We played terrific defense and our guys played their hearts out. They made some big time plays and some guys made some big time pitches."
-HC Terry Rooney
Fantastic Fans
- The announced attendance was 2,434 against No. 5 Miami.
- It was the second-high attended game of the season and the 11th largest crowd all-time at the UCF Baseball Complex.
- Director of Athletics Danny White threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.
Noting the Hurricanes
- Carl Chester registered three hits and scored twice, while Christopher Barr tallied a pair of base knocks.
- Starter Jesse Lepore improved to 3-0 by tossing five innings and striking out three .
- The sixth save of the season was notched by Bryan Garcia with one strikeout in one inning of work.