ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF baseball team struck for four runs in the bottom of the seventh on Saturday night to win its first series of 2019. The Knights rolled to a 5-1 victory over Siena behind a dominant performance with more than 10 hits and 10 strikeouts.
For the second straight game, a starting pitcher made his debut for the Black and Gold (2-0), and for the second straight day, the debuting starter rolled. Righty Trevor Holloway struck out six batters over the course of four innings with just one hit against.
UCF opened the scoring in the third. Ray Alejo ripped a one-out double to left center, before a throwing error allowed him to reach third. Dallas Beaver followed that up with a bloop hit to shallow right center that he extended into a double, and Alejo trotted in to put the Knights ahead.
Siena (0-2) bounced back in the fifth inning. After second baseman Yasser Santana reached on an error, shortstop Devan Kruzinski drove a liner to left for an RBI double, just beyond the outstretched arm of UCF outfielder Pedro Castellano.
Griffin Bernardo continued his hot start by putting UCF ahead on an RBI double to right center that brought in Tyler Osik from third. Dalton Wingo broke the game open two batters later following a walk by Castellano. The sophomore roped the first pitch of his at-bat into the bullpen in right for his first home run of the season.
Winning Pitcher: Jack Sinclair (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Matt Pierce (0-1)
Top Pitchers: Trevor Holloway (4 IP, 6 K, 1 H, 0 R), Luis Ferrer (2.2 IP, 4 K, 1 R), Jack Sinclair (1.1 IP, 3 K, 1 H), Kyle Kemp (1.0, 0 H, 2 K)
Top Hitters: Dalton Wingo (2-4, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 1 R), Dallas Beaver (3-5, 1 RBI, 1 2B), Tyler Osik (2-4, 1 R, 1 SB), Griffin Bernardo (2-4, 1 2B)
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST
• The Knights finished with a strikeout in every inning, making it 12 straight frames with a punchout.
• Luis Ferrer came on in relief of Holloway and matched his career high with four strikeouts.
• Jack Sinclair notched the first win of his career after tossing a trio of punchouts over 1 1/3 innings of action.
• Graduate transfer Kyle Kemp wasted little time shutting the door. The righty mowed down two batters and did not allow a base runner in the ninth inning.
HITTING THE BASE PATHS
• While the pitching staff carved through the Siena lineup, the UCF offense found consistency at the plate.
• All nine batters reached base at least once, with eight recording a hit.
• Of the eight different players with a hit, five of them notched multi-hit games, led by Dallas Beaver’s career-high tying three base knocks.
NOTES
• The Knights’ two home runs have come courtesy of two sophomores.
• UCF totaled 15 strikeouts on the evening, taking the season total to 29 through 18 innings of play.
• The Black and Gold went 4-12 with two outs.
• Dallas Beaver recorded his second and third runner caught stealing on Saturday, making him 3-for-4 on the year.
• Designated hitter Chandler Robertson extended his on-base streak to a career-best nine games.
UP NEXT
The Knights will go for their 18th sweep on Opening Weekend with a 1 p.m. first pitch against the Saints. Senior Jordan Spicer will make his 2019 debut for the Black & Gold as the lone returner in this weekend’s starting rotation.
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).