ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Sophomore Kyle Marsh ripped a pair of doubles and a home run and led UCF over No. 2 Florida 11-2 Wednesday night at the UCF Baseball Complex. Freshman Joe Sheridan made his first collegiate start on the mound. He allowed four hits and one run to pick up the victory for the Knights.
"Kyle Marsh had a phenomenal day," UCF head coach Greg Lovelady said. "Joe Sheridan, a freshman, to come out in this environment against the No. 2 team in the country and pitch the way he did. I can't say enough about him. He has done it all fall and all winter. (That) is why we put him in the game."
UCF started strong at the plate. Eli Putnam, the first Knight batter of the contest, ripped a triple to right-center. Luke Hamblin followed with an infield single to make it 1-0. Marsh later doubled home Hamblin to put the Knights on top 2-0.
Marsh struck again in the third. He launched rainbow shot to left field for a two-run home run. Rylan Thomas later added an RBI double to put UCF on top 5-0 through three innings. Florida finally lit the scoreboard in the fifth off a rare mistake from Sheridan. The freshman balked with Gator center fielder Luke Horvath on third base, allowing a run to score. The Knights answered in the bottom of the frame when Ryan Crile hit a solo home run, his second of the season. UCF led 6-1 after five innings.
The Knights added three more runs in the sixth. Once again, it was Marsh with the big blow. UCF loaded the bases before the left fielder smoked a double down the right-field line, scoring Hamblin, Putnam and Kam Gellinger. The three-run double gave him six RBI for the contest. After six innings, the Knights were in control, 9-1.
Florida took advantage of a leadoff double in the seventh to push a run across. Once again, UCF responded. This time, it was a two-run single off the bat of Gellinger, which accounted for the final runs of the contest.
The victory came one night after a heart-breaking, 4-3 loss to Florida in Gainesville. The Knights felt they let one get away on Tuesday, out-hitting the Gators 10-4 in the first of the two-game set. Lovelady said his team was angry on the bus ride home Tuesday night. The Knights released that pent up frustration less than 24 hours later.
"We knew we needed to come out with a little more confidence and understand that we had the ability to win this game and we did exactly that," Lovelady said. "I am really, really proud. It was the best offensive night that we've had in terms of taking good swings. When they made mistakes, we hammered it. We played like we belonged today and showed a lot of people what kind of team we could possibly be. We set the standard for the team for the rest of the year."
Marsh Minutiae
Marsh seems to relish playing at home against the Gators. Tonight, he went 3-for-5 at the plate with six RBIS, ripping a pair of doubles and a home run. Two years ago (March 3, 2015), as a true freshman, Marsh started on the mound against then-No. 2 Florida and tossed four innings, allowing two hits and just one run in a 4-3 UCF victory.
Freshman Phenom
Prior to tonight's start for Joe Sheridan, Marsh was the last freshman to start a game vs. Florida. Sheridan topped Marsh's outing from two seasons ago. He went five innings, allowed four hits, struck out four and allowed just one run. While Marsh didn't qualify for the win in his outing, Sheridan recorded his first collegiate victory Tuesday night over the Gators.
Offensive Output
- Eight of the 10 Knights to record at-bats vs. the Gators recorded a hit.
- Four Knights had multiple-hit games. Marsh, Thomas and Gellinger each accounted for three hits, while Putnam recorded a pair.
- Hamblin and Putnam extended their hitting streak to nine games to open the season.
- Six of the Knights' hits Wednesday went for extra bases.
- Of his 13 hits this season, Marsh has nine for extra bases (7 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run).
What A Crowd!
- The announced attendance of 3,852 was the third-largest crowd to see a game at the UCF Baseball Complex
- The all-time mark of 4,319 was set in 2015 in the 4-3 victory over No. 2 Florida
- UCF vs. FSU is the second-highest attended game at 3,953 (3/11/14). The No. 5 Seminoles visit March 7-8 (Tickets here)
Next Up
The Knights host Stony Brook for a three-game series Mar. 3-5 at the UCF Baseball Complex. To purchase tickets, click here or call 407-UCF-1000.
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