ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF baseball team will return to John Euliano Park on Tuesday night to open a four-game homestand, starting with a matchup with Bethune-Cookman. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and will be streamed through UCFKnights.TV.
The Knights enter the week after dropping a road series at Wichita State over the weekend. UCF rallied from a series opening defeat to edge the Shockers with an 11-3 win that was delayed more than 12 hours due to a lighting issue at Eck Stadium. In the series finale, the Black and Gold brought the tying run to the plate in each of the final three innings but could not overcome a two-run deficit.
Matthew Mika drove in seven runs over the last week with a pair of home runs, including his first career grand slam. The senior is fourth on the team with 27 RBI. Mika is 20-for-24 stolen bases this season and is now tied for fourth in program history with 76 career swipes.
ON THE MOUND
Jordan Spicer will get the ball for his eighth start of the year. The righty dealt five scoreless innings last Tuesday against FAU with one strikeout. Spicer has a 3.77 ERA and 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts over 31 innings as a starter this season.
SCOUTING BETHUNE-COOKMAN
• The Wildcats enter the week with a 15-27 mark on the year and an 8-10 record in the MEAC.
• Joseph Fernando leads the team with a .327 clip at the plate with 21 RBI, while Brandon Wilkes follows closely with a .300 batting average and a team-high 28 RBI.
• The pitching staff has a 5.80 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.65.
UCF vs. Bethune-Cookman
TBA vs. TBA
WEEK 10 NOTEBOOK
OVERALL: 23-17
THE AMERICAN: 5-10
NON-CONFERENCE: 18-7
THIS WEEK: 1-3
STREAK: L1
LAST WEEK'S GAMES
Tuesday, vs. FAU – Loss, 5-3 | Recap
Thursday, at Wichita State – Loss, 8-6 | Recap
Friday, at Wichita State – Win, 11-2 | Recap
Saturday, at Wichita State – Loss, 6-4 | Recap
THIS WEEK'S GAMES
Tuesday, April 23, 3 p.m. – vs. Bethune-Cookman | UCKnights.TV | Live Stats
Friday, April 26, p.m. – vs. Memphis | UCKnights.TV | FM96.9/AM740 The Game | Live Stats
Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. – vs. Memphis | UCKnights.TV | FM96.9/AM740 The Game | Live Stats
Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m. - vs. Memphis | UCKnights.TV | FM96.9/AM740 The Game | Live Stats
A QUICK RECAP
* UCF opened the week at home against FAU, in which Jordan Spicer tossed five scoreless innings, but the Owls plated four in the sixth to win.
* The Knights could not rally out of a 7-2 hole after four innings in the series opener against Wichita State.
* For the second time this season, UCF had to finish a game the next day, evening the series with an 11-2 win on Saturday morning.
* UCF saw a three-run advantage fade away and could not overcome a late three-run gap.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Chris Williams, rSr., RHP
1 App, 1 GS, 1.50 ERA, 6 IP, 7 K, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB
• Recorded fourth quality start of the year.
• Finished with seven strikeouts, one shy of season high.
• Allowed the leadoff runner to reach twice.
• Dealt 17 first-pitch strikes to 20 batters faced.
HITTER OF THE WEEK
Matthew Mika, Sr., INF
4 GS, .286/.524/.786, 2 HR, 1 2B, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 4-5 SB
• Started week with 1-for-3, 2-RBI outing against FAU.
• Drew a pair of walks in series opener against Wichita State.
• Belted first career grand slam to seal game two win for the Knights on a 2-for-6 outing with two runs scored.
• Launched a solo shot in the series finale to go 1-for-3 with a walk.
• Matched career high with three stolen bases on Thursday.
TEAM NOTES
• Kyle Kemp trimmed his bullpen-low ERA down to 1.21 over the weekend.
• Jeffrey Hakanson took over the team lead with 48 strikeouts.
• The Knights jumped back out to the conference lead with 67 stolen bases.
• Dallas Beaver moved up to 25th in the nation and second in the league in walks with 35.
• Beaver has had the hot bat as of late with a .375 batting average over the last 15 games.
• Chris Williams continues to lead The American with a walks allowed per nine innings mark of 1.19.
• The Black and Gold is closing in on its third straight season with at least 40 home runs, now up to 37 on the year after hitting seven homers.
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).