ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Despite six solid innings from starter Chris Williams, the UCF baseball team could not seal its weekend series against Memphis on Saturday night at John Euliano Park, falling 12-7.
For the second straight night, the Knights found themselves trailing after the top of the first. UCF responded in the bottom of the second to tie the game. Chandler Robertson drove a 1-2 delivery through the right side, and Brandon Hernandez spring home from third to tie the game.
The two clubs traded runs in the fourth. Down by one in the bottom half, Anthony George muscled a leadoff single through the right side. After a sacrifice bunt by Robertson, Ray Alejo drove an RBI double to left center square things up at 2-2.
Williams gave the Knights a gem through the first six innings. The redshirt senior dealt a season-high eight strikeouts without allowing a walk. The righty shook off runs in the first and fourth and posted four 1-2-3 frames.
The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native’s night took a turn in the top of the seventh. Memphis plated six runs on six hits to open an 8-2 advantage. Williams was saddled with the loss after 6 2/3 innings with 12 hits against and eight runs scored.
UCF rebounded in the bottom of the seventh to cut the gap down to two. Dallas Beaver and Dalton Wingo came home on Hernandez’s first career triple. Jay Lyons drove in a run on an RBI groundout to short. George made it three straight at-bats in the seventh with an RBI on a solo home run to left field.
The Tigers responded with a four spot of their own in the eighth on four hits to open 12-6 lead.
The Knights loaded the bases in the bottom half, but Ray Alejo was the only run to come in, scoring on a wild pitch.
David Litchfield made his debut for the Knights in the top of the ninth. The redshirt sophomore struck out one and worked around one hit to post a scoreless frame.
UCF (25-18, 6-11) – xx, Memphis (21-19, 6-7) – 12
Winning pitcher: Chris Durham (3-2)
Losing pitcher: Chris Williams (4-4)
Top hitters: Dallas Beaver (3-5, 1 R), Ray Alejo (2-6, 1 RBI, 1 R), Dalton Wingo (2-3, 1 R), Anthony George (3-4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HR), Brandon Hernandez (1-5, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Top pitchers: Luis Ferrer (0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), David Litchfield (1.0 IP, 1 K, 1 H, 0 R)
NOTES
• The Knights will play in their eighth rubber match of the year on Sunday.
• Williams recorded his sixth career start of at least six innings without a walk.
• Ray Alejo picked up his team-leading 13th double of the year, one shy of his career high from last year.
• George picked up his third homer of the year and the fifth of his career, all of which have been solo shots.
• Dallas Beaver extended his hitting streak to a career-best eight games.
• Chandler Robertson pushed his on-base streak to 11 games, one short of his career long.
UP NEXT
The Knights will close out their penultimate home series on Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch against the Tigers. Jordan Spicer will take the mound for the Black and Gold in his 10th start of the year.
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).