ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – It was a rocky start for the UCF baseball team on a cold windy evening at the UCF Baseball Complex Friday, but the home team refused to give up, battling back to an eventual 7-3 victory over Stony Brook. Temperatures fell to the upper 50's as the Knights fell behind 3-0 in the first inning.
"Offensively, we battled," UCF head coach Greg Lovelady said. "We got down 0-2 a lot and just found ways to get hits and did a great job of attacking their bullpen, so it was great to see."
After giving up three quick runs to start the game, the Black and Gold battled back with a run in both the first and second innings, keeping the game within reach. Then, designated hitter Bryce Peterson gave the Knights a spark in the sixth, launching a solo homerun over the right-center field fence to tie the game at 3-3. But it was the seventh inning where UCF took control.
Short stop Kam Gellinger layed down a bunt single and right fielder Eli Putnam added a base hit. The two advanced to second and third on a wild pitch, center fielder Luke Hamblin drew a walk, and all three runners advanced on another pitch in the dirt with first baseman Rylan Thomas as the plate.
Now up 4-3 with one out, Thomas grounded out but left fielder Kyle Marsh delivered an RBI single making it 5-3. Second baseman Ryan Crile added an RBI single as well and Peterson brought home the game's final run with a sacrifice fly.
Though it was a rough outing for starter Robby Howell, the bullpen came up big as Trent Thompson and Thaddeus Ward held Stony Brook scoreless through the last five innings. The pair gave up just four-combined hits and one walk.
"The Bullpen really did a great job late in the game," Lovelady said. "We have a lot of guys in the bullpen we can trust to come in and put up zeros and those guys were amazing again."
Notable Knights
- Putnam extends his hitting-streak to 10 games to open the season
- Peterson notched his second home run of the year
- Crile added another RBI, now has a team-best 13
- Marsh had another big night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs
- Reliever Thaddeus Ward collects his first win of the year (1-0)
Game two returns to the UCF Baseball Complex Mar. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets in advance or call 407-UCF-1000.
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