May 13, 2016
05-13-16 - UCF at UConn - Images by UCF Knights
STORRS, Conn. (UCFKnights.com) - With the Knights ahead 3-2 in the eighth inning with two outs, UConn's Joe DeRoche-Duffin blasted a two-run homer to hand UCF a 4-3 loss on Friday afternoon at J.O. Christian Field.
Just prior to that home run, freshman right fielder Matthew Mika robbed the Huskies' Bobby Melley of a two-run homer by stretching over the fence in right to make a catch. Click here to see the fantastic catch.
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Back-to-Back Jacks
- Senior designated hitter Sam Tolleson and junior right fielder Eli Putnam blasted solo homers in consecutive at bats during the second inning to give UCF the lead, 2-0.
- Tolleson drilled a pitch over the fence in left center for his fourth of the season.
- Putnam, a righty, showed his power by going to the opposite field. He added a double to pace the Knights with two hits.
- The last Knights to hit back-to-back homers were James Vasquez and Eric Barber last season vs. USF (5/1/15).
Howell's Performance
- Junior righty Robby Howell went seven innings and only allowed two earned runs on five hits.
- The Fort White, Fla., native went 5 1/3 frames without giving up a hit until the Huskies connected on a triple to center.
- He kept UCF on top 3-2 in the seventh by inducing an inning ending double play.
Noting the Huskies
- UConn was paced by Bryan Daniello, and John Toppa with two hits each.
- Joe DeRoche-Duffin hit the game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth with two outs.
- Starter Anthony Kay (6-2) earned the victory and struck out six, while the sixth save of the season was notched by Patrick Ruotolo.
Next Up
- The series continue at 1 p.m. Saturday, while the finale in Storrs, Conn., is on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
- The Knights are back home to complete the regular season on Thursday, May 19 against East Carolina at 6:30 p.m.