ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Riding a four-game winning streak, the No. 23 UCF baseball team returns to John Euliano Park this weekend for a three-game set against Wagner.
First pitch on Friday and Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m., and Sunday will start at 1 p.m. All three games will be streamed on UCFKnights.tv.
The Knights (5-3) swept last weekend's home series against Savannah State. UCF outscored the Tigers 25-4 over the three games and went a perfect 16-for-16 on stolen bases. The Black and Gold also posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2006. On Tuesday, the Knights picked up their first road win of the year with a 6-1 decision at Bethune-Cookman.
Head coach Greg Lovelady has not shied away from sending his runners to steal bases. The Knights are 32-of-33 when stealing, which is ranked second in the country and first in The American. Ray Alejo and Matthew Mika are tied for second in the nation in stolen bases with eight. UCF swiped eight bags against Savannah State on Feb. 23, the most since April 2012.
The Black and Gold will play 21 games in March, including six midweek contests over the next three weeks. Of the 21 games, 15 will be played at John Euliano Park.
Wagner dropped a midweek game at Rutgers to fall to 3-3 on the season. Pitcher Eric Ligda threw a two-hit shutout in a 9-0 win against Coppin State last weekend. The pitching staff has issued 36 free passes to 49 strikeouts. On offense, Joe Silvestrone and Kyle Cala are the lone Seahawks hitting above .300 this season with four combined RBI.
GAME INFO
GAME 9 | No. 23 UCF vs. Wagner
Friday, March 2 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Chris Williams (RHP, 2-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Neil Abbatiello (LHP, 0-0, 2.70 ERA)
GAME 10 | No. 23 UCF vs. Wagner
Saturday, March 3 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Thad Ward (RHP, 0-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Eric Ligda (RHP, 1-1, 3.86 ERA)
GAME 11 | No. 23 UCF vs. Wagner
Sunday, March 4 | 1 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Jordan Spicer (RHP, 1-0, 5.79 ERA) vs. TBA
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE GAME NOTES
NOTES TO KNOW
• The Knights are undefeated against Wagner with a 15-0 mark.
• The two clubs last met back in 2011.
• Rylan Thomas ranks fifth in The American with a .419 batting average this season, including a .539 clip over the last four games.
• UCF starting pitching has a combined 2.14 ERA over 42 innings this year, while opponents are hitting just .200 against the starters.
• UCF climbed one spot in the Baseball America poll to 23rd.
• Out of the bullpen, JJ Montgomery, Cre Finfrock, Jack Sinclair, Jeffrey Hakanson and Garrett Westberg have held opponents under .150 at the plate with a combined 25 strikeouts this season.
• Thomas has reached safely in the last 16 games dating back to last 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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