Clearwater, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF Baseball team dropped its opening game of The American tournament 14-3 to East Carolina Tuesday. It was an evening to forget at Spectrum Field, as everything seemed to go the Pirates way, save of the first two innings.
UCF grabbed the early lead, scoring a run in each of the first two frames. Center fielder Luke Hamblin started things off at the top of the order with a double to the left field corner. He would move to third on a wild pitch and score on a clutch two-out double by left fielder Kyle Marsh. It was his 19th double of the year and his 49th RBI.
The Knights second run came on three-straight singles, one each by second baseman Matthew Mika, designated hitter Ryan Crile, and catcher Anthony George. But the Pirates bats came alive in the third, when they put up four runs on 3 hits, including a three-run home run, all with two outs.
ECU would add on in the fifth, getting a big hit with runner on first and third and two outs. A roller through the gap in right center field scored both runners, and with the batter digging for third, a throw from the outfield hopped over third base and out of play, allowing the batter to come home.
The Pirates kept the bats going manufacturing two more runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. A timely double with runners on the corners and a sacrifice out helped ECU increase the lead to eight.
The Knights tried to chip away at the lead, when Marsh doubled with one out in the eighth and scored on a single by Thomas. But the Pirates added a four spot in the ninth, putting the game out of reach for good.
Thanks to the double-elimination format, UCF will have an opportunity to bounce back against Tulane Wednesday at Noon at Spectrum Field. A win over the Green Wave would keep the teams tournament hopes alive, setting up either a rematch with East Carolina, or another battle with South Florida in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Wednesday's game with Tulane will air on the American Digital Network and fans can also listen in with Marc Daniels on FM 96.9 The Game, and iHeartRadio or follow along via live stats.
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