Stealing the ShowStealing the Show

Stealing the Show

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF baseball team posted its first shutout of the 2018 season with a 4-0 win over Savannah State at John Euliano Park on Friday night.

The No. 24 Knights (2-3) notched a season-high eight stolen bases, while starting pitcher Chris Williams cruised to his second win of the year.

"It was a great win tonight," head coach Greg Lovelady said. "Chris Williams did well on the mound tonight. He was super aggressive, did a good job of keeping the ball down and elevating late. JJ and Cre had really good stuff. We took a step forward offensively and stole a bunch of bases. We got a couple of big hits. Dalton Wingo did a phenomenal job today. I feel like we got a little bit better today."

The Knights jumped into the lead in the third inning. Rylan Thomas ripped a pitch down the third base line to bring in Ray Alejo from second. Logan Heiser added to the lead with an RBI single to center an inning later. Leading off the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Osik launched an 0-1 offering to left center to make it 3-0. Rylan Thomas trotted home from third on a wild pitch to add some insurance for the Black and Gold in the seventh.

On the mound, Williams came out dealing with four strikeouts through three innings. The Tigers (2-3) racked up a pair of hits in the second inning, but the UCF infield turned a 4-6-3 double play to erase the threat, the first of two double plays on the night for the Black and Gold. Williams finished the game with a career-high nine strikeouts over seven innings of work. JJ Montgomery and Cre Finfrock came on for the eighth and ninth, respectively. Both pitchers fanned a pair in their lone inning of action.


KEY STATS
No. 24 UCF (2-3) - 4, Savannah State (2-3) - 0
Winning pitcher: Chris Williams (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Trevor McKenna (1-1)
Top Performers: Chris Williams (7 IP, 9 K, 4 H, 0 ER), Dalton Wingo (2-4, 2 2B), Tyler Osik (2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI), Rylan Thomas (2-2, 1 RBI)

BIG BATS STEP UP
* Tyler Osik, Dalton Wingo and Rylan Thomas each recorded a pair of hits on the night.
* Osik's home run was the first of his career as a Knight and the third of the season for UCF.
* Thomas reached base safely on all four trips to the plate with a pair of singles, a walk and a hit by pitch.
* Wingo had a career night with a pair of doubles, including one that caromed off the wall in left.


A LOT OF STEALING
* The Knights totaled the most stolen bases since April 14, 2012, at Southern Miss.
* Ray Alejo, Max Wood and Brandon Hernandez each recorded a pair of swipes.
* Heading into the game, UCF was ranked third in the country. The Knights are now 19-of-20 when stealing this season.

UP NEXT
The Knights will turn to Joe Sheridan on Saturday for game two of the series at 6:30 p.m. The Tigers will give righty Alex Hall the ball against Sheridan.



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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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