ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Despite a seven-inning gem from pitcher Grant Schuermann, defensive miscues led the UCF baseball team to drop game two of the weekend series against VCU on Saturday night at John Euliano Park, 4-3.
Schuermann took a no decision, despite throwing seven innings of one-run baseball. The southpaw struck out six, finishing one short of his season high. Schuermann posted two 1-2-3 innings in the second and fifth. He also allowed just one leadoff batter to reach base and faced only four three-ball counts all night.
For the second straight game in the series, the Knights took the lead in the first inning. Ray Alejo and Tyler Osik reached on back-to-back singles to start the frame. The duo later converted a double steal that forced an errant throw by the catcher, and Alejo broke for home. Dallas Beaver made it 2-0 during the next at-bat with an RBI groundout to second.
While Schuermann continued to carve through the VCU lineup, the Knights did not pick up a hit until the fifth against Rams starter Connor Gillispie, who fanned four in five innings of work.
UCF added to its lead in the sixth inning. With the wind billowing in from center, Beaver powered a 2-0 offering down the right field line for a solo home run, his third of the year.
Jack Sinclair came on for the final two innings to strike out two and scatter three hits, only one of which came before an error extended an inning. VCU scored two in the eighth, both unearned, after a fielding error with two outs. A throwing error in the top of the ninth allowed the game-winning run to score from second.
TIME CHANGE
Tomorrow’s series finale will start at Noon due to inclement weather in the forecast.
UCF (13-6) – 3, VCU (14-4) – 4
Winning pitcher: Ben Dum (3-2)
Losing pitcher: Jack Sinclair (2-2)
Top hitters: Ray Alejo (2-4, 1 R), Tyler Osik (2-4, 1 R), Dallas Beaver (1-4, 2 RBI, 1 R)
Top pitchers: Grant Schuermann (7 IP, 6 K, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB)
NOTES
• The all-time series is tied at 3-3.
• Schuermann’s seven innings were the most by a UCF pitchers this season.
• Tyler Osik is on a six-game hitting streak and a 17-game on-base streak.
• Beaver’s solo homer was his team-leading 20th RBI of the year, 10 shy of career high for a season from last year.
• UCF was 4-for-5 when stealing, and Matthew Mika stole his 11th and 12th bags of the year.
UP NEXT
The Knights will turn to Trevor Holloway to get the series win tomorrow at Noon.
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