May 11, 2016
Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - In the final midweek game of the season, UCF notched a 6-3 victory on Wednesday afternoon against Jacksonville at the UCF Baseball Complex. Junior outfielder Luke Hamblin went 2-for-4 with two RBI on his birthday, while sophomore right-hander Chris Williams recorded his first-career victory.
"Today was a great team win, just look at the box score and there were contributions on the mound and by position players," head coach Terry Rooney said. "One of the keys as everyone knows is to try to play your best baseball late -- that is how you win championships. That was one of the best games we played collectively in the middle of the week."
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UCF (25-25) turned its 50th double play of the season to end Jacksonville's (29-18) third inning. The Knights turned a second twin killing the next inning on a groundball to shortstop Brennan Bozeman.
It was a one-run game till the eighth inning when senior designated hitter Sam Tolleson provided the Knights with a pair of insurance runs, 6-3. Hamblin put the Knights ahead 4-3 with a two-run single in the fifth frame.
Happy Birthday Luke
- Junior outfielder Luke Hamblin celebrated his birthday on Wednesday and went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
- The Rowlett, Texas, native drove home Eli Putnam in the fourth frame to put the Knights on the board with a single to center. A groundout by Ryan Crile cut the Jacksonville lead to 3-2.
- Following a single by Kam Gellinger and walk issued to Sam Tolleson in the fifth inning, a bunt moved both runners into scoring position and Hamblin registered a two-out single up the middle to put UCF on top, 4-3.
"I got down to a 2-2 count. We work on hitting with two strikes in the cages all the time. He threw me a high and inside fastball. I hit the inside seam that somehow snuck through the infield for two RBI."
-OF Luke Hamblin
Williams with the Win
- Sophomore right-hander Chris Williams notched his first-collegiate win.
- The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief and added one strikeout.
- Williams worked out of a bases loaded one-out situation by inducing the Knights' first double play of the game.
- Another 2 2/3 frames were logged by junior righty Campbell Scholl, who fanned three batters.
- The final out of the eighth inning was recorded by junior lefty Drew Faintich with a strikeout.
- Junior right-hander Trent Thompson notched his fourth save of the season with a perfect ninth.
- Starter Bryce Tucker registered 2 1/3 frames of work along with four strikeouts, but yielded three runs.
"It is great to go out there and pick up my first college win. I have been going into [tough] situations like that all year. I want to go out there, throw strikes and let the defense do the work."
-RHP Chris Williams
Picking Up a Pair
- Five Knights -- Brennan Bozeman, Matt Diorio, Eli Putnam, Matthew Mika and Luke Hamblin -- tallied two hits in the contest.
- UCF totaled 13 hits during the contest and put up two-spots in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings.
"We talk about it all the time that two-out RBI win championships and they are particularly important on the road. Those are typically difference makers, which was the truth today with [Luke] Hamblin and [Sam] Tolleson."
-HC Terry Rooney
Noting the Dolphins
- Jacksonville was paced by Parker Perez and Dakota Julylia with three hits each.
- The Dolphins' starter Spencer Stockton registered four strikeouts over 3 2/3 frames of work.