ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After breaking the weekend attendance record at John Euliano Park, the UCF baseball team will renew its old rivalry with Stetson on Tuesday. The No. 24 Knights will make the trip to Melching Field at Conrad Park to face the Hatters at 6:30 p.m.
Last week, UCF posted a 1-2 record in a round robin against No. 15 Virginia, Rice and Samford. The Black and Gold recorded its first win in program history against a ranked opponent on Opening Knight with a 6-3 decision over the Cavaliers on Friday.
The Knights had 11 players make their debut at John Euliano Park. Brandon Hernandez and Ray Alejo hit .333 and .308, respectively. JJ Montgomery gave up just one hit over the course of a 12-out save on Friday against Virginia. Jordan Spicer was in command during his five-inning outing on Sunday, scattering four hits with seven strikeouts. Chandler Robertson was 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of RBI.
Thad Ward will get the start on Tuesday for the Knights. The junior came on in relief during Saturday's 5-4 loss to Rice to throw one inning with one strikeout. Last season, Ward made 26 appearances with one start. He posted a 2.29 ERA over 35.1 innings pitched with 32 strikeouts.
The Hatters (3-0) swept Manhattan over the weekend. Catcher Austin Hale hit .500 with three RBI and a home run. Stetson will counter with right-handed pitcher Brooks Wilson. The senior tosses 2.1 innings against the Jaspers without allowing a hit.
GAME INFO
No. 24 UCF at Stetson
Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: Hatter Vision
Thad Ward (RHP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 APP) vs. Brooks Wilson (RHP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 APP)
NOTES TO KNOW
• UCF holds a 71-47 advantage over Stetson in a series that dates back to 1975.
• The Black and Gold is 31-23 in games played in DeLand.
• The Stetson rivalry is the second longest in UCF history, second only USF's 134 games.
• The Knights were ranked No. 24 by Baseball America.
• UCF was a perfect 11-for-11 on stole base attempts last weekend, led by Alejo's five swipes.
• Dallas Beaver hit .300 with a pair of RBI on his second career home run.
• Rylan Thomas led the way with five RBI for the Black and Gold.
• The Black and Gold rotated Logan Heiser, Anthony George and Dallas Beaver behind the plate last weekend.
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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