ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF baseball team will open the 2020 campaign against Siena on Friday to start a four-game series. Head Coach Greg Lovelady and the Knights will have some familiar faces in the outfield, including American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference honoree, Dalton Wingo.
FAMILIAR NAMES
#8 // Dalton Wingo // Jr.
As a sophomore, Dalton Wingo was one of three Knights to start and play in all 58 games in 2019. The Plant City, Fla. native set a career-high in nearly every offensive stat category a season ago. The right fielder hit .294 with a .373 on-base percentage and drove in 44 RBI with seven homers on the year. The rising junior totaled 21 multi-hit games, which was the second most on the team, and recorded nine multi-RBI outings on the season.
#27 // Gephry Pena // So.
Taking on an expanded role, Gephry Pena is expected to take the starting job in center field to start the 2020 slate. A season ago, Pena primarily came into games as a defensive substitution and in pinch running situations, seeing only three plate appearances. The Dominican Republic native recorded his first career hit against Penn State, and scored the game-winning run against Memphis in an elimination game of the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
#34 // Jordan Rathbone // R-Sr.
A season ago, Jordan Rathbone appeared in 11 games while making three starts. The Spokane, Wash. Native is expected to have an expanded role after impressing the coaching staff throughout the offseason. Rathbone will also spend time behind the plate in the rotation as a catcher.
FRESH FACES
#5 // Trent Taylor // Jr.
Trent Taylor comes to UCF after spending two seasons in the junior college ranks at Daytona State College. Taylor made 77 appearances for the Falcons, maintaining a .304 batting average and driving in 33 RBI over the course of his first two collegiate seasons. He'll look to make an impact for the Knights, coming in with the ability to play any position on the diamond.
#29 // Pablo Ruiz // Fr.
Pablo Ruiz joins the Knights after being named the Palm Beach County Player of the Year and Sun Sentinel Player of the Year following his senior year of high school baseball in 2019. Ruiz led Palm Beach County in batting average and doubles with a .563 clip and 12 doubles during his senior year.
DON'T MISS OUT
The UCF baseball team is set for its fourth season under head coach Greg Lovelady and will welcome seven teams from the 2019 NCAA Tournament to John Euliano Park in 2020. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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