April 16, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF junior righty Robby Howell had a no-hitter broken up after 6 2/3 innings as the Knights evened the series with a 4-0 victory against conference-rival USF Saturday. Howell finished with a career-high seven strikeouts over seven innings at the UCF Baseball Complex.
"That was a tremendous team win in all aspects of it," head coach Terry Rooney said. "Certainly, Robby [Howell] did an outstanding job. Trent [Thompson] came in and closed it. There was a little something to us today. Our guys came out focused and determined. These guys bounced right back after a loss and had some great team at bats off a very good USF pitcher."
Related: Video Recap | Stats | Box Score | Photo Gallery | SoundCloud
Juniors Eli Putnam and Eugene Vazquez each picked up a pair of base hits for UCF (19-18, 4-4 The American). Putnam capped the scoring with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning against USF (17-18, 3-5 The American).
The game was a part of the #UCFastival, which is rounded out by the UCF football spring game at 7 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium.
The rubber match of the series between the Knights and Bulls is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
A Howell of a Performance
- Robby Howell went 6 2/3 innings without giving up a hit and improved to 7-0 on the campaign.
- He tied his career-high strikeout total with seven over seven innings of work. Seven strikeouts was last achieved by Howell vs. Siena (2/14/15) in 5 1/3 innings, 1 earned run.
- Trent Thompson came on to log the final six outs and totaled three more strikeouts.
- It was the third combined shutout for Howell this season. UCF has five shutouts in the campaign.
"Robby is just out there competing and doing all the little things that make you successful like pitching down in the zone and getting ahead. He has a level of confidence about him when is out on the mound. His biggest thing is that he has learned to split pitches, throw one pitch at a time and trust his defense."
HC Terry Rooney
"Honestly, I kind of knew it [no-hitter], but to be completely honest, I wasn't really thinking about it. I was just worried about getting deeper in the game and earning the win for our team today."
-RHP Robby Howell
Striking First
- The Knights scored a pair of runs on two hits in the second inning to start the scoring.
- Matt Diorio singled up the middle and Austin Griffin drew a walk before a sac bunt by Kam Gellinger moved the runners into scoring position.
- A passed ball pushed across the first run before Anthony George connected on an RBI single to left, 2-0.
- Back-to-back doubles by Eli Putnam and Ryan Crile to start the third frame increased the Knights' lead to 3-0.
"The power has always been there, but I am focusing on what we need as a team like where I am batting in the lineup. Some days, the balls are not falling like yesterday. I am always working to stay inside the ball and get base hits"
OF Eli Putnam
Noting the Bulls
- Brandon Lawson (3-3) suffered the loss and registered seven strikeouts over seven innings of work.
- Tyler Dietrich, Duke Stunkel and Jonah Garrison each picked up base hits for USF.