ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The No. 22 UCF baseball team returns to John Euliano Park on Tuesday night for a midweek rematch against No. 16 Stetson at 6:30 p.m.
UCF (20-9, 3-3 The American) is coming off its first American Athletic Conference series win of the year. The Knights took two of three from Memphis over the weekend. The Black and Gold scored 11 ninth-inning runs in the series opener and finale, taking the season total for runs in the ninth to 18. On the mound, UCF pitchers struck out 11 batters in the opening two games to take the season total for double-figure strikeout games up to 16.
The Knights will look to avenge a 1-0 loss at Stetson during the first midweek game of the year. Thad Ward was saddled with the loss, despite punching out the first seven batters of the game. Stetson scored the lone run of the ball game on a sacrifice fly in the third.
Stetson (23-5) has won its last four games, including a 5-3 decision at Stetson. The Hatters have dominated on the mound this season with a nation's best 2.08 ERA and a WHIP of 1.00. Joey Gonzalez has a 0.99 ERA to rank seventh in the country, while Brooks Wilson leads the country with 12 saves.
PROMOTIONS
• Tuesday will have $1 hot dogs and sodas at the concession stand. (Limit two per transaction)
• The first 100 students and 50 fans through the gates will receive a free UCF hat.
GAME INFO
GAME 30 | No. 22 UCF vs. Stetson
Tuesday, April 3 | 6:30 p.m.
Watch: UCFKnights.tv
Cre Finfrock (RHP, 1-0, 6.14 ERA) vs. Joey Gonzalez (RHP, 6-1, 0.99 ERA)
GAME INFO
• The Knights lead the series 71-48 and a 33-20 mark in Orlando.
• Satruday's victory was UCF's 20th of the year, which marked the 35th straight season with at least 20 wins.
• UCF and Stetson are tied for the national lead with seven shutouts.
• The Black and Gold climbed three sports in the Baseball America poll.
• Rylan Thomas continues to be one of the best hitters in the country in batting average (8th), hits (6th), home runs (25th), runs (6th), RBI (12th) and slugging percentage (23rd).
• Cre Finfrock will make his first start since May 27 against Tulane, a span of 701 days. The righty went 6 2/3 with six strikeouts in his last start.
• UCF is 16-5 this season at John Euliano Park. Rylan Thomas has driven in 29 of his 36 RBI at home.
• Matthew Mika leads The American with 17 stolen bases.
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