ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF baseball team returns to John Euliano Park for a three-game series against Savannah State this weekend.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. All three games will be streamed on UCFKnights.tv. Friday night will mark the return of Dollar Dog Night with $1 hot dogs and sodas.
Last time out, the No. 24 Knights (1-3) posted a season-high 14 strikeouts and allowed just a trio of hits in a 1-0 loss at Stetson on Tuesday night. UCF starter Thad Ward fanned the first seven batters of the game, before JJ Montgomery came on in relief to punch out five more.
Starting pitching has been a strong point for the Black and Gold through four games. Chris Williams, Jordan Spicer and Joe Sheridan were efficient in their season debuts last weekend. The trio combined for 14 strikeouts over 16 innings with a 2.81 ERA. Head coach Greg Lovelady will send the same rotation to the mound this weekend.
Ray Alejo leads The American in stolen bases with five after the first week of play. The Orlando native played a big role in the Knight going 11-for-12 on the base paths to start the season. The Black and Gold are fifth in the country in and first in the conference in steals.
UCF takes on a 2-2 Savannah State squad this weekend. The Tigers took two of three against Delaware State, before dropping a midweek showdown with Charleston Southern. Freddie Landers started the year with a clip of .500 at the plate, ranking third in the MEAC. Caleb Hill and Trevor McKenna will get the ball against the Knights. Both went at least six innings without allowing an earned run last week.
GAME INFO
GAME 5 | No. 24 UCF vs. Savannah State
Friday, Feb. 23 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Chris Williams (RHP, 1-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Trevor McKenna (LHP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA)
GAME 6 | No. 24 UCF vs. Savannah State
Saturday, Feb. 24 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Joe Sheridan (LHP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Alex Wright (RHP, 0-1, 1.00 ERA)
GAME 7 | No. 24 UCF vs. Savannah State
Sunday, Feb. 25 | 1 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Jordan Spicer (RHP, 0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Caleb Hill (RHP, 1-0, 0.00 ERA)
CLICK HERE FOR GAME NOTES
NOTES TO KNOW
• The Knights hold a perfect 3-0 record against Savannah State.
• The two sides first met for a three-game set in 2010.
• Sophomore Rylan Thomas is in the midst of a 12-game on-base streak, the longest of his career.
• Matthew Mika and Tyler Osik have notched a hit in the last three games.
• Junior JJ Montgomery ranks fifth in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 11.00.
• Dallas Beaver has reached safely in all four games this season.
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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