Decision Dropped

Box Score

April 9, 2016

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HOUSTON, Texas (UCFKnights.com) - In a back-and-forth game with both teams holding one-run leads, UCF was unable to hold off No. 24 Houston, 4-3, on Saturday night at Schroeder Park. The Cougars pushed across the eventual game-winning run with two outs in the eighth inning.

The Knights (18-15, 3-2 The American) did threaten in the ninth inning as sophomore catcher Logan Heiser opened the frame with a double, but could not push across the game-tying run.

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Sophomore right-hander Robby Howell struck out three in 6 1/3 innings of work and allowed two earned runs. The Fort White, Fla., native scattered nine hits, but stranded nine Cougars on the base paths.

Clutch Two-Out Hitting

  • The first two runs for the Knights came via two-out base knocks.
  • After Matt Diorio reached on an error and stole second in the first inning, Austin Griffin delivered a double down the left field line to put the Knights up early, 1-0.
  • A two-out single to left center by Sam Tolleson broke a 1-1 tie as Logan Heiser crossed the plate in the seventh inning.
  • The Knights knotted the contest, 3-3, in the eighth inning on a RBI groundout from Matt Diorio.

Pitching Out of Jams

  • Houston stranded 11 base runners during the contest.
  • Robby Howell was responsible for leaving nine Cougars on including the bases loaded in the first and fourth frames.
  • A double play ended a Houston threat in the third inning on a ground ball back to Howell. It was the Knights' 36th double play of the season.
  • One runner was stranded by Trent Thompson and Harrison Hukari in the last two innings.

Noting The Cougars

  • Seth Romero tossed seven innings and struck out nine, while allowing one earned runs.
  • Nick Hernandez (1-0) finished the game to earn the victory and struck out four over two innings.
  • Two hits each were registered by Joe Davis, Connor Hollis and Michael Pyeatt.
  • A two-run double in the seventh inning by Justin Montemayor put Houston on top for the first time, 3-2.


UCF rounds out its three-game set at Houston on Sunday with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. Eastern.