WICHITA, Kan. (UCFKnights.com) – Tyler Osik went 2-for-5 with three RBI to power the offense on Thursday night, but the UCF baseball team dropped its series opener at Wichita State, 8-6. The Knights brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth but could not overcome a three-run deficit.
The Black and Gold got off to a quick start in the first. Matthew Mika and Dallas Beaver converted a double steal to reach scoring position, after reaching on a hit by pitch and a walk, respectively. Tyler Osik then laced an RBI single to center for the opening run of the game.
The Shockers jumped out front in the bottom of the first. The hosts plated three runs on four hits.
UCF pulled run back in the top of the third when Dallas Beaver trotted in from third on a wild pitch, but the hosts responded with a four-run fourth to open a 7-2 lead.
Griffin Bernardo belted an 0-1 offering through the 22 MPH wind to left field for a solo home run, which cut the deficit to four, only for the Shockers to responded with an RBI sac fly.
It was déjà vu in the top of the sixth for the Knights. Mika and Beaver both reached and later converted another double steal. This time, Osik drove both runners in on a single back up the middle to cut the gap down to three.
UCF continued to fight into the ninth inning. Anthony George roped a leadoff double off the wall in left. After advancing to third on a hit-and-run, the redshirt junior came home on a double play.
On the mound, Grant Schuermann pushed through five innings with eight earned runs against. The bullpen locked things down over the final three innings. Jack Sinclair rolled off a pair of scoreless frames with two strikeouts and worked around a trio of hits. Garrett Westberg fanned one in his lone inning of work.
UCF – 6 (22-16, 4-9), Wichita State – xx (19-18, 4-6)
Winning pitcher: Liam Eddy (4-4)
Losing pitcher: Grant Schuermann (4-4)
Top hitters: Tyler Osik (2-5, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB), Anthony George (2-4, 1 R), Griffin Bernardo (1-4, 1 RBI, 1 HR, 1 R)
Top pitchers: Jack Sinclair (2 IP, 2 K, 3 H, 0 R), Garrett Westberg (1 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 R)
NOTES
• The all-time series is now tied at 2-2.
• Osik recorded his fifth three-RBI game of the year. He now has a team-high 11 multi-RBI games.
• The Knights stranded 13 runners on base, tied for the second most this season.
• The Knights totaled four extra-extra base hits, including Ray Alejo’s team-leading 11th double.
• Matthew Mika matched his career high with three stolen bases. He is now tied with Matt Ray (04-06) and Clay Timpner (02-04) for fourth in program history with 76 career swipes.
UP NEXT
The Knights will look to even the series on Friday night at 7 p.m. (ET). Chris Williams will take the mound for UCF.
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