May 7, 2016
05-07-16 - UCF vs. Cincinnati - Images by UCF Knights
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - With the score tied, 1-1, entering the bottom of the seventh, UCF exploded for four runs and tacked on seven more in the eighth frame to post a 12-1 win over Cincinnati on Saturday at the UCF Baseball Complex. The victory clinched the series for the Knights, who look go for the sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Offensively, we are certainly having a lot more confidence at the plate and are building upon that," head coach Terry Rooney said. "We knew that we had great players and hitters. These guys have done a terrific job of staying the course and working hard with coach Klosty [Ryan Klosterman], coach [Brandon] Romans and coach [Andy] Chriscaden. Everyone felt like it was only a matter of time till we broke out."
Junior left fielder Matt Diorio drove in three runs, which included a bases-loaded double, to lead the Knights, while multi-hit and multi-RBI contests were tallied by junior shortstop Brennan Bozeman, junior first baseman Austin Griffin and freshman right fielder Matthew Mika.
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Phenomenal Pimentel
- Junior Juan Pimentel picked up his third victory of the season and logged eight innings, while striking out six.
- The Miami native only allowed one earned run in the sixth inning and kept it a 1-1 game by inducing a ground out to retire the side with the bases loaded.
- The final frame was registered by junior Campbell Scholl, who fanned two hitters.
"Juan set the tempo and has been doing that all year for us. I thought that he was terrific, particularly in a bounce-back start after last week."
-HC Terry Rooney
"I knew that I had to stay focused the whole time, especially coming in and trying to win the series. Everything went as planned and I stuck to the game plan. The defense played great behind me. It was a great team win."
-RHP Juan Pimentel
Striking First
- A leadoff double by freshman Matthew Mika started the Knights off in the third inning.
- After a groundout moved him to third, Brennan Bozeman drove him home with a single up the middle, 1-0.
Unlikely Four Spot
- The Knights scored four runs in the seventh inning without recording a hit.
- A hit batter started the frame before the Bearcats were unable to register an out at second on a sac bunt.
- Matthew Mika sent a ground ball to short that was misplayed to put the Knights back up, 2-1.
- A passed ball and wild pitch scored two more runs before a sac fly from Matt Diorio capped the frame to give UCF a 5-1 lead.
"Coach Klosty talked with us before the game, we worked with him really hard this week and did what he said -- put the ball in play and battle with two strikes. One through nine [hitters], everyone hit the ball well and did a great job today."
-LF Matt Diorio
Another Big Two-Out Rally
- After two quick outs in the eighth inning, UCF sent 10 batters to the plate and recorded seven runs on five hits.
- Eli Putnam worked a long at bat and was hit by a pitch to start the rally.
- Following a single up the middle by Logan Heiser, Matthew Mika pushed across the first run with a base hit to right.
- After a walk drawn by Luke Hamblin, a base hit through the right side upped the Knights lead to 7-1.
- With the bases loaded, Matt Diorio connected on a double past the third baseman down the left field line that cleared the bases, 10-1.
- A two-run homer was delivered by Austin Griffin to put UCF up 12-1. It was his 10th round tripper of the season.
- The Knights registered a five-run, two-out rally in the series opener, which was capped by Tolleson's grand slam.
Noting the Bearcats
- The Knights held Cincinnati to six hits.
- Starter J.T. Perez (5-4) tossed 6 1/3 frames and struck out two, while yielding two earned runs.
- Cincinnati turned two double plays to halt rallies by the Knights.
Next Up
- UCF rounds out the three-game set at 1 p.m. Sunday.
- The Knights complete a four-game homestand on Wednesday at 4 p.m. The contest will serve as the final Dollar Knight of the season with $1 hot dogs and sodas available at the concession stand.