JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF baseball team opened its nine-game road trip falling 2-1 to North Florida at Harmon Stadium Tuesday. The visiting Knights managed just four hits but still had a chance in the final inning.
Freshman first baseman Rylan Thomas got the Knights on the board early with a solo shot in the top of the second inning. The blast went to straight-away center and was his 10th of the year.
The Ospreys rallied back with a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead for good. UNF started the fourth with back-to-back doubles before adding a two-out single with runners on first and second in the fifth.
UNF tallied 11 hits on the night but stranded 10 on base as the Knights bullpen was strong through the final three frames, giving up just two hits in the final four innings.
UCF had a chance in the ninth, as center fielder Luke Hamblin was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Right fielder Eli Putnam moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt before second baseman Matthew Mika added a single of his own.
On the ensuing at-bat, Mika stole second but short stop Brennan Bozeman was ruled out for batters interference and Mika was sent back to first base. Now with runners on the corners and two outs, instead of second and third with one out, the Knights were unable to bring Hamblin home from third.
Next up, the Black and Gold head to Tulane for a three-game set with the Green Wave May 5-7. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. E.S.T. The Voice of the Knights Marc Daniels will have the call on FM 96.9 The Game and iHeartRadio.
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