The 2018 UCF baseball season opens on Feb. 16 at John Euliano Park against Virginia, and now is the time to get your first look at the Knights. UCFKnights.com will preview each position group over the next two weeks to show who will be wearing the Black and Gold this year.
THE VETERAN PITCHERS
UCF had one of its best pitching seasons in program history during the 2017 campaign. Head coach Greg Lovelady and assistant coach Justin Parker guided the Black and Gold to a program record 3.0 staff ERA – the fifth best in the country.
Senior arm Robby Howell and rookie Joe Sheridan garnered All-America honors by combining for 20 wins during Lovelady's first season in Orlando.
With Howell graduated, the Knights brought back a pair for starters from the rotation at the end of the season. Sheridan and Chris Williams, both of whom will get the ball on opening weekend, started last year in the bullpen before progressing to weekend starters.
After a solid offseason and start to spring practice, Williams earned the first start of the year on Friday night against No. 15 Virginia. Sheridan will go to the mound on Saturday against Rice.
The rotation's experience grew exponentially with Cre Finfrock's return. The redshirt-junior missed all of last season due to an injury. In his first two seasons, Finfrock started 29 games with a record of 11-12 and a 3.78 ERA.
Relievers Eric Hepple and Thad Ward have become reliable forces out of the bullpen during their years with the Knights. Hepple posted an 0.46 ERA in 2017 over 16 appearances, while Ward was called upon in 26 contests to throw 35.1 innings with 32 strikeouts and a record of 4-0.
After a two-year layoff due to injury, Nick McCoy is back in the bullpen for his final season at UCF.
The veteran pitching staff also boasts one of the best stoppers in baseball. Bryce Tucker will start his junior season after a stellar 2017 campaign that featured a 1.66 ERA in 27 appearances with nine saves – the third most in a season in program history. Tucker then spent the summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Going into 2017, Tucker was named a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball, placed on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List and selected for The American Preseason All-Conference team.
The 2018 season opens on Friday night as the Knights face No. 15 Virginia at John Euliano Park.
"THE UCF KNIGHTS ARE ON THE AIR"
The 2018 UCF baseball season will be heard on 96.9FM The Game/740AM. The Voice of the Knights Marc Daniels returns to bring you the action featuring the Black and Gold this season. Through UCF's partnership with iHeart Media, the Knights will be on the radio for 30 games this season. Click here to listen to UCF Baseball on iHeart Media. In addition to radio broadcasts, all home games will be streamed on UCFKnights.tv.
DON'T MISS THE ACTION
Season and single-game tickets for UCF Baseball are on sale. Featuring a 36-game home schedule, John Euliano Park is set to host some of the best collegiate baseball in the country. For more information on tickets call 407-823-1000 or log on to ticketmaster.com.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF Baseball on social media on Facebook (/UCF.Baseball), Twitter (UCF_Baseball) and Instagram (UCF.Baseball).