ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – With 24 days between now and Opening Knight, the UCF baseball team appeared in another preseason poll. In Baseball America's preseason rankings, the Knights will start the season ranked 22nd in the country.
It marks the first time that UCF has received a preseason ranking from Baseball Americasince 2015, when they were tabbed 22nd as well.
UCF posted a 40-22 record last season and won the American Athletic Conference regular season title with a 15-9 mark. Head coach Greg Lovelady was named The American Coach of the Year and Rylan Thomas earned Rookie Position Player of the Year honors.
Thomas and pitcher Joe Sheridan were named Freshman All-America by multiple media outlets.
Heading into 2018, the Knights boast an incredibly deep pitching staff. Sheridan, Bryce Tucker, Chris Williams and Cre Finfrock headline an experienced staff, while the additions of Jordan Spicer, ranked 144th by Baseball America's BA500, and JJ Montgomery will provide even more power to the rotation.
On offense, Thomas was named The American Preseason Player of the Year. He and Matthew Mika were named preseason All-Conference in The American. The Knights will need a handful of newcomers to step up in the lineup as UCF needed to replace 20 players from the 2017 squad.
UCF appeared 26th in the Perfect Game preseason poll and 40th according to College Sports Madness. The Knights also received votes in the Collegiate Baseball preseason rankings.
Opening Knight is set for Feb. 16 against Virginia at John Euliano Park. The Knights will also face Rice and Samford on opening weekend as a part of a three-game tournament.
All home games during the 2018 season will be streamed on UCFKnights.tv.
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