ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF Baseball team dropped a close game to UConn, falling 6-5 at the UCF Baseball Complex Saturday.
The Huskies jumped ahead early, scoring one run in the first and two in each of the third and fourth innings. The visitors built a 5-0 lead on seven hits through the first three innings, forcing the Knights to go to the bullpen in the fourth.
Right hander Trent Thompson slowed things down, facing just four batters in the fourth before Jason Bahr came on in relief and would finish the game.
UCF battled right back in the bottom half of the fourth, drawing to within one. Center fielder Luke Hamblin led off with a bunt single and then stole second. He moved to third on a single by right fielder Eli Putnam and then scored on ground out the third.
First baseman Rylan Thomas then brought Putnam around with an RBI single before left fielder Kyle Marsh ripped a double off the left field wall. Designated hitter Ryan Crile then walked to load the bases and the Knights third run crossed the plate when short stop Brennan Bozeman also walked. Third baseman Kam Gellinger brought home the innings fourth run with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Gellinger would deliver again in the sixth, launching a solo home run to right center on a 3-1 count with one out to tie the game at five.
But it was the huskies who would strike last, as a lead-off home run in the top of the eighth gave them a one-run advantage that would ultimately be the difference in the game.
Due to anticipated rain, Sunday's series finale has been moved to an 11 a.m. start. Catch all the action streaming live at UCFKnights.TV, listen at FM 96.9 The Game, or follow along via live stats.
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