Eighth-Inning Magic

Box Score

March 19, 2016

Final Stats

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - For the second-game in a row, the Knights broke a tie score by putting up a crooked number in the eighth inning against Brown. Junior second baseman Ryan Crile blasted a three-run homer to lift the Knights to a 6-4 victory Saturday over the Bears at the UCF Baseball Complex.

"Really, I was just trying to put the ball into the outfield and get a sacrifice fly to score that runner," Crile said. "Luckily, he hung a curveball and I was able to get enough of the barrel on it to clear the fence."

The round tripper was his second of the campaign. Crile's first homer of the season was also a three-run shot against North Florida.

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UCF (12-8) starter Robby Howell (4-0) tossed eight innings and registered four strikeouts, while only yielding a pair of earned runs. A save was notched by junior Campbell Scholl (1), who retired the final Brown (1-8) batter.

Three-hit games were recorded by juniors Brennan Bozeman and Kam Gellinger to pace the Knights. Crile also added a single to notch his team-leading sixth multi-hit game.

"We have tremendous poise, which is a very important quality," head coach Terry Rooney said. "We don't panic. We are staying confident and learning to play every pitch. We are also getting better every day."

The Knights look for the series sweep of Brown on Sunday with the first pitch set for 1 p.m.

Duo Up the Middle

  • The Knights turned a pair of double plays to increase their season total to 19.
  • The duo of second baseman Ryan Crile and shortstop Brennan Bozeman hooked up for a pair of 4-6-3 twin killings.
  • UCF ended threats by the Bears with double plays in the first and sixth frames.

"Tempo by the pitcher is very important for the defense. Coach [Rooney] preaches that all the time with tempo. The faster that you can get us in the dugout, then the faster we can score more runs."
-2B Ryan Crile

A Trio of Runs

  • The Knights opened the scoring with three runs in the second inning.
  • A double to left center by Sam Tolleson began the frame.
  • Kam Gellinger connected on a one-out double down the left field line to put UCF up 1-0.
  • The Knights took a 2-0 lead on a single to center by Brennan Bozeman.
  • A key two-out single to left by Austin Griffin pushed the UCF advantage to 3-0.

Noting the Bears

  • Tim McKiethan paced Brown with three hits, while Sam Grigo added a pair of base knocks.
  • A two-run single was delivered by Josh Huntley during the Bears' three-run fourth frame.
  • Bobby Leyman registered five shutout innings of relief.