ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – For the second straight day the UCF baseball team saw its game-tying effort thwarted by a great defensive play. The No. 22 Knights had a runner tagged at the plate for the final out of Sunday's 5-4 loss to Samford at John Euliano Park.
UCF (1-2) held a 4-2 advantage heading into the ninth, but Samford (1-2) rallied with three runs in the top half of the frame to take the lead. With the Knights down to their last out, Matthew Mika sent a 1-0 offering to left field. Pinch runner Max Wood rounded third with a chance to tie the game. Left fielder Sam McWhorter's throw home beat Wood to help the Bulldogs hold on.
After a pair of Samford runs in the third, the Black and Gold took the lead with a trio of scores in the fourth. Ray Alejo flashed his speed on an infield bunt single and two steals to reach third. The redshirt sophomore broke for home on an errant throw by the catcher to get the Knights back within one. Later in the inning, Chandler Robertson made the most of his first at-bat as a substitution. The Canadian sent a 2-2 delivery to right field that plated Dallas Beaver and Brody Wofford.
Matthew Mika added a run in the seventh. The Lake Worth, Fla., native stole third and was nearly caught in no man's land halfway to home. Samford pitcher Erin Baldwin threw the ball into left field to give Mika a clean path home.
ADDING SOME SPICE
Jordan Spicer made his UCF debut on Sunday. The native of Hialeah, Fla., was in control for most of his five innings of work. Spicer struck out seven and scattered four hits. The junior gave up a pair of runs in the third, but settled down to retire the final seven batters he faced in order.
WELCOME BACK CRE
• Cre Finfrock made his first appearance since May 27, 2016 - a span of 632 days – after missing 2017 due to injury.
• The redshirt junior came on in relief in the sixth inning.
• Without missing a beat, Finfrock sent three of the first four batters he faced back on strikes.
• He finished the day with two innings of hitless work to go along with his four punchouts.
KEY STATS
No. 22 UCF (1-2) - 4, Samford (1-2) – 5
Winning pitcher: Wyatt Burns (1-0)
Losing pitcher: Bryce Tucker (0-1)
Top Performers: Cre Finfrock (2 IP, 4 K, 0 H), Jordan Spicer (5 IP, 7 K, 2 H, 2 ER), Matthew Mika (2-5, 1 2B, 1 SB), Ray Alejo (2-4, 1 2B, 2 SB)
HUGE CROWD ON HAND
After setting the record for attendance on Opening Knight, UCF fans broke the weekend attendance record with 7,183 fans through the gates on Sunday.
NOTABLES
• Mika and Alejo accounted for four hits and two runs on Sunday.
• Griffin Bernardo made his first collegiate start against Samford.
• Brandon Hernandez finished the weekend with a .333 batting average and an RBI.
• Rylan Thomas racked up a team-high five RBI over the three games.
• All three of the UCF starters tossed at least five innings, while striking out a combined 20 batters.
UP NEXT
The Knights will face Stetson for their first road contest of the season. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
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.
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