ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – It took the full nine innings, but the UCF baseball team opened the 2019 season with a win on Friday night at John Euliano Park. The Knights downed Siena 3-2 in walk-off fashion on a wild final play.
Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth with Griffin Bernardo on second and Chandler Robertson on first, Ray Alejo appeared to ground out to the shortstop to end the inning, only the toss to second sailed into right field to allow Bernardo to score the winning run.
The Knights were in control for much of the evening. Starting pitcher Grant Schuermann dazzled in his first start for UCF. The graduate transfer dealt six innings of two-hit ball with seven strikeouts. The only blemish against him came in the third on an RBI groundout. Schuermann carved through the Siena lineup with a strikeout in four of his six innings of work, including taking down the side on strikes in the second.
Bernardo evened the scores in the bottom of the fifth with a solo blast to left center. The sophomore started his campaign strong with a 2-for-2, an RBI and the home run. He reached base his two other trips to the plate on a walk and a hit by pitch.
Pedro Castellano put the Knights ahead an inning later with a chopper in front of the plate. Matthew Mika, who previously stole second and third, darted home before a throw could be made. UCF held it's lead all the way until the top of the ninth, before Siena catcher Alex Mirone belted a one-out, solo home run to tie the game and set the stage for Alejo.
Winning Pitcher: Jeffrey Hakanson (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Arlo Marynczak (0-1)
Top Pitchers: Grant Schuermann (6 IP, 7 K, 2 H, 1 R), Zack Helsel (1 IP, 2 K), Garrett Westberg (1 IP, 2K)
Top Hitters: Griffin Bernardo (2-2, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR), Ray Alejo 2-5)
STRAIGHT THIEVERY
• The Knights recorded seven stolen bases on Friday, led by Matthew Mika with three.
• Both Mika and Alejo stole second and third.
• When Siena attempted its one steal, catcher Dallas Beaver threw down to second in plenty of time.
BULLPEN STRIKEOUTS
• The bullpen combined for three innings of work and seven strikeouts.
• Garrett Westberg downed two batters on strikes in the seventh.
• Zack Helsel made his debut in the eighth with a pair of punchouts to retire the side in order.
• Jeffrey Hakanson came on for the ninth and struck out three, despite giving up a game-tying home run.
NOTES TO KNOW
• The victory was the 200th of Lovelady’s career. He is 200-99 all-time.
• The Knights are now 55-4 all-time against Siena, including 18 straight.
• Schuermann was the first UCF starter on Opening Knight to take a no decision since Cre Finfrock in 2016.
• The Black and Gold is now 32-15 all-time on Opening Knight and 83-33-1 on opening weekends.
• UCF’s starter on Saturday will also make his debut for Orlando’s Hometown Team, when Trevor Holloway takes the mound.
UP NEXT
The Knights will look to seal their 12th straight opening weekend series win on Saturday for Game 2 against the Saints. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on UCFKnights.TV.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news.
FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Follow UCF Baseball on social media on Facebook (/UCF.Baseball), Twitter (UCF_Baseball) and Instagram (UCF.Baseball).