ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF Baseball team swept its series with Central Michigan, concluding Saturday's doubleheader in walk-off fashion at the UCF Baseball Complex. The Knights rallied to win 5-4 after senior Eli Putnam drove in the tying and winning runs with a bases-loaded single.
"It's all about routines," Putnam said after the game. "We talk [with coaches] a lot about the mental side of the game and stepping up in these big situations."
The situation could not have been much bigger for Putnam. It was the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded with one out. He turned on the very first pitch, lacing a ball past the diving third baseman into left field. Austin Murphy scored the tying run easily from third and Brooks Morgan scored the winner, diving past the catcher on a close play at the plate.
"I'm glad our guys didn't quit," UCF head coach Greg Lovelady said. "They did exactly what they are supposed to do in the ninth inning, just try and get the next guy up."
The dramatic finish was set up by first baseman Rylan Thomas. His solo home run in the eighth brought the Knights back within a single run. The true freshman erupted at the plate this weekend, going 8-for-11 with 12 RBIs and 4 home runs. He hit .727 in the series, including two long-balls in the series opener and another in the early game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Thomas also earned his first-career pitching decision in the series finale. He came on in relief in the top of the eighth and induced three ground ball outs to give his squad a chance in the ninth, eventually being credited with the win.
Central Michigan appeared determined to avoid the sweep, notching two early runs in the first inning. UCF battled right back and scored two of its own in the bottom half however. Putnam reached on an infield single and Thomas immediately drove him home with a double to the gap in left-center. Thomas then stole third and tied the game on a ground ball from short stop Kam Gellinger.
The Chippewas regained the lead in the second, after a bunt-single brought in a run from third. CMU would add one more run in the sixth before ultimately succumbing to the Knights' late-inning heroics.
With the sweep, the Knights improve to 14-3 on the season and are a perfect 12-0 in weekend series at home. The team's only losses this year came to ranked opponents, then-No. 2 Florida and No. 2 Florida State.
Next up, the Knights host Bradley for a midweek matchup on Tuesday, Mar. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will stream live on UCFKnights.TV.
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