CLEARWATER, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF baseball team bowed out of the American Athletic Conference Tournament, presented by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, on Wednesday morning following a 6-2 defeat to the No. 1 seed Houston.
After trading runs with the Cougars in the early innings, the fifth seeded Knights could not overcome a four-run gap in the first elimination game of the weekend.
Following two scoreless innings to start the game, the two clubs burst for six combined runs over the next 1 1/2 innings. Houston took the lead in the top of the third when right fielder Tyler Bielamowicz lifted a two-run home run to left center.
The Knights responded to tie the game in the bottom half. Ray Alejo reached third after a leadoff single, a stolen base and a groundout by Dallas Beaver. Rylan Thomas cut a 3-0 offering down the left field line for an RBI double. Two batters later, Matthew Mika doubled to left field to drive in Thomas and knot the game up at 2-2.
Houston regained the lead with a two-RBI double from second baseman Connor Hollis in the top of the third. Designated hitter Joe Davis added a solo home run in the sixth to give the Cougars a three-run advantage.
JJ Montgomery relieved UCF starting pitcher Chris Williams, who tossed 5 2/3 innings on short rest with five strikeouts, five hits and five earned runs. After closing out the sixth, Montgomery faced bases loaded and no outs in the top of the eighth. The righty gave up one run on an infield single, but worked out of the jam without any further damage.
KEY STATS
#5 UCF (35-20) - 2, #1 (No. 18) Houston - 6
Winning pitcher: Trey Cumbie (7-3)
Losing pitcher: Chris Williams (4-3)
Top performers: Chris Williams (5.2 IP, 5 K, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 BB), Rylan Thomas (1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Ray Alejo (1-4, 1 R, 1 SB), (1-4, 1 RBI)
NOTABLES
* Houston leads the all-time series 29-22, with a 2-0 mark in tournament play.
* The Knights have 5-9 all-time record in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
* Ray Alejo stole his team-leading 34th base of the year.
* Tyler Osik's RBI was a team-best 57th of the season.
* UCF is 11-10 against ranked opponents this season.
* Mika's RBI was his 30th of the season, a new career best.
UP NEXT
The Knights will now wait to find out their postseason fate. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will be televised at noon on Monday, May 28, on ESPNU.
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