JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF Baseball team dropped a 7-1 decision on the road to Jacksonville at John Sessions Stadium Sunday. The Knights lead the season series 2-1 with the final matchup scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 28 at the UCF Baseball Complex.
The Dolphins jumped out to an early lead Sunday and never looked back. The lead-off man delivered an infield single and was moved to second with a sacrifice bunt. After drawing a one-out walk, the Jacksonville clean-up hitter delivered a double to right field, scoring both runners.
Once again in the second, the Dolphins lead-off man reached on an infield single, was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and the third hitter walked. But this time, the Knights were able to get a ground ball to short stop and end the inning with a 6-4-3 double play.
Jacksonville added another run in the third however, getting a lead-off double before scoring on an infield error. JU doubled its lead in the fifth, posting three runs on four hits and two walks before adding one more in the seventh on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.
The Knights finally got on the board in the eighth as center fielder Luke Hamblin and first baseman Rylan Thomas led off with back-to-back singles. Hamblin stole second during Thomas' at bat, and then scored from third when Marsh grounded to short and beat the throw to first, avoiding a double play. Unfortunately, the lone run was all UCF would be able to manage.
Despite a decent showing by the bullpen down the stretch, the Black and Gold couldn't get the bats going. All told, UCF hitters struck out 10 times, drew just three walks, and left nine runners on base, including four runners in scoring position.
Next up, the Knights head to Daytona for a midweek meeting with Bethune-Cookman on Mar. 21. Tuesday's first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
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