ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With just six home games remaining in 2017, the UCF Baseball team is set to host Memphis for a three-game series at the UCF Baseball Complex this weekend. Friday's series opener has been dubbed 'Joe Skinner Knight', as the team will announce its total funds raised for pediatric cancer research.
The Knights having been taking donations during a month-long charity drive, with all proceeds to benefit the cancer research arm of Florida Hospital. Click here to join the fight as the Black and Gold are closing in on the $20,000 mark.
The fight against cancer is extremely personal for the team, as this season would have marked the freshman year of a local baseball star and friend, Joe Skinner. Skinner was diagnosed with hypodiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rare form of the disease, in December, 2015 and passed away on April 30, 2016, in Dallas, Texas awaiting an experimental treatment.
"He was a really good guy, always wanted the best for his friends," First baseman Rylan Thomas said. "He was someone you could count on no matter what. He was strong in his faith and loved his family and friends, he was the ultimate friend."
Thomas met Skinner playing travel ball when they were kids and also played summer ball with him in high school. Thomas said Skinner was a die-hard Knights fan, and is thankful that the team is continuing to keep his memory alive.
"This is awesome that we're able to do something for him. The impact he has made around here, without ever having played in a game is impressive."
Of all the Knights players who knew Skinner or competed against him, none knew him better than UCF catcher Dallas Beaver.
"Joe was my best friend, I met him in ninth grade during a try-out for travel ball," Beaver said. "He fully embraced me. It was the first time I had ever tried out for a big team and he went out of his way to introduce himself to me. That's just the kind of guy he was. We had an instant connection and became best friends."
Beaver and Skinner often talked about coming to UCF to play ball together. They had both grown up as Knights fans and the Black and Gold had a lot to do with developing their love for the game.
"The heart that he had, to want to come to UCF was unmatched. He loved this place. We were both recruited here at a young age. We both received offers and committed around the same time, and both had dreams of coming here and playing."
Beaver wears number 38 for the Knights, a number he chose to honor Skinner who wore it while playing for The Elite Squad and Orlando Scorpions.
"When I got here I talked to the coaches and asked if I could wear it, Beaver recounted. "They actually didn't have my size but ended up getting one to fit me. Every time I throw that jersey on my back and get to come out here and play baseball with my friends, it's an honor and a daily reminder of Joe."
UCF enters the weekend with the NCAA's second best team ERA of 2.52 and ranks eighth in stolen bases with 79. The Black and gold offense has combined for a conference-best 272 runs on 392 hits so far this season.
The Knights are looking for their 30th win of the season Friday. First pitch against the Tigers is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Game two is slated for 4:30 p.m. Saturday with Sunday's finale set for 11:30 a.m. Click here or call 407-UCF-1000 to purchase tickets in advance.
Catch the action streaming live all weekend at UCFKnights.TV, listen at FM 96.9 The Game, or follow along via live stats.
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