TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The No. 20 UCF baseball team dropped its series finale to No. 8 Florida State on Wednesday night at Dick Howser Stadium, 13-3.
The Knights (17-6) took the lead in the top of the first. Tyler Osik doubled down the left field line to score a pair of runs, but the Seminoles (18-4) responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. Brandon Hernandez brought the Black and Gold back within one in the top of the fourth on an RBI sacrifice fly that brought in Dallas Beaver. Florida State then added to its lead with one run in the fourth and three in the sixth.
UCF had several opportunities to start a comeback, but finished with 13 runners left on the base. Down by four in the seventh, the Knights had their best chance to get back in the game with the bases loaded and no outs. Florida State reliever Jonah Scolaro sent the next three batters back to the dugout on strikes. The Seminoles put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom half of the frame.
KEY STATS
No. 20 UCF (17-6) – 3, No. 8 Florida State (18-4) – 13
Winning pitcher: Clay Kwiatkowski (3-0)
Losing pitcher: Thad Ward (2-2)
Top performers: Chandler Robertson (3-5), Tyler Osik (1-3, 2 RBI)
NOTABLES
• Starting pitcher Thad Ward was saddled with the loss after five innings with eight strikeouts. The junior closed out his afternoon with a pair of punchouts with the bases loaded in the fifth.
• Chandler Robertson had a career-high 3-for-5 performance at the plate.
• Rylan Thomas went 1-for-3 with two walks to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
• Matthew Mika's hit streak reached eight games with a single in the fifth.
• Cre Finfrock allowed a pair of earned runs on Wednesday, the first the righty has given up in seven appearances this season.
UP NEXT
The Knights will open American Athletic Conference play this weekend at John Euliano Park with a three-game series against ECU.
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