NEW ORLEANS, La. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF baseball team fell 4-3 to Tulane Saturday in a back and forth game at Turchin Stadium. After jumping out to an early lead and tying the game late, the Green Wave scored on a two-out hit in the eighth that would end up being the difference.
"It was a tough loss but we just didn't do enough of the little things today," UCF head coach Greg Lovelady said. "We had opportunities and some chances to score runs. We got the leadoff man on in the ninth and couldn't do anything with it, which was frustrating."
For the second-straight game, the Knights got on the board in the top of the first inning. Right fielder Eli Putnam smoked a hanging curve ball off the fence in left field for a 1-out double. Short stop Brennan Bozeman followed with a double to drive in Putnam.
Bozeman then came home after second baseman Matthew Mika went down swinging but took off for first when the catcher dropped the ball. The subsequent throw to first was high and got away from the first baseman, allowing Bozeman to score. Mika tried for second but was thrown out to end the inning.
Tulane bounced back in the fourth, after back-to-back singles and an error loaded the bases with nobody out. The next hitter popped out to second. Then, Tulane drove a ball to the fence in right center field. Two runners would score and a third was thrown out at the plate, tying the game 2-2.
The Green Wave would grab a 3-2 lead in the next inning with a solo home run before the Knights would tie it back up in the eighth. Designated hitter Ryan Crile hit a slow roller off the side of the mound that was fielded and thrown over the head of the first baseman.
Crile took second on the play, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Logan Hesier and then scored on a clutch two-out single by center fielder Luke Hamblin.
The Knights went to left-hander Bryce Tucker in the bottom of the eighth, who got the first out with a strikeout. Tulane then drew a walk before the next hitter dribbled a soft infield hit to second base.
Tucker fanned the following batter but then gave up a single to center field resulting in the games eventual winning run.
Freshman lefty Joe Sheridan is scheduled to start for UCF in Sunday's rubber match. Sheridan is 8-3 on the year and has won each of his last three starts against conference opponents.
"Nothing today carries over to tomorrow," Lovelady said. "We're going to come back tomorrow with the same mentality we had yesterday, just try and win pitches. We just have to have a good approach, attack hitters, and play good defense."
Sunday's finale set for 2 p.m. and will stream live on the American Digital Network. The Voice of the Knights Marc Daniels will also have the call on FM 96.9 The Game, and iHeartRadio or fans can follow along via live stats.
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