Auburn, Ala. – The UCF baseball team earned the series win over No. 8 Auburn Saturday afternoon, taking down the Tigers 7-3. The win marked the first road-series win over a ranked SEC opponent since sweeping No. 11 Alabama in 2001.
Tigers opened the scoring by banging a triple off the centerfield wall to drive in Ward, who picked up their first hit of the game. Auburn's lead wouldn't last long as Jordan Rathbone teed off on the first pitch he saw, putting it over the leftfield wall to drive in Tom Josten, who walked on four straight balls an at-bat prior.
The Knights' offense took off in the sixth inning, posting four runs on four hits and a defensive error. Dalton Wingo got it started with an RBI single, who was driven in by Tom Josten picking up his third double of the year. Jordan Rathbone went back to back with Josten, doubling to right field to pick up his third RBI of the game. Rathbone later came around to score thanks to a Nick Romano single, putting UCF on top 6-1 before the end of the inning.
Auburn rallied to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth, and after plating a run, the Knights once again called on Jeff Hakanson to close it out. Hakanson faced three batters, in the inning, struck out two and slammed the door on any hopes the Tigers had to stage a comeback.
UCF (6-1) – 7, No. 8 Auburn (5-2) – 3
Winning Pitcher: Trevor Holloway (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Jack Owen (1-1)
Top Pitchers: Trevor Holloway (5.0 IP, 9 K, 1 ER), Jeff Hakanson (1.0 IP, 2 K, 1 SV)
Top Hitters:Jordan Rathbone (2-4, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R), Dalton Wingo (2-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI), Tom Josten (1-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI)
TAMING THE TIGERS…AGAIN
- UCF has handed the No. 8 Tigers their only two losses of the 2020 season.
- In the first two games of the series, Jeff Hakanson has tossed 2.1 innings, striking out five Auburn batters.
- Auburn left 11 runners on the basepaths, three more than Friday night's total.
KNIGHTS NOTES
- UCF's victory was it's first in Auburn, Ala. The Tigers now lead the all-time series 7-3.
- The Knights four runs in the sixth inning, and seven total runs is the most allowed by the Tigers pitching staff.
- Hakanson picked up his third save of 2020, getting out of the bases loaded jam in the ninth.
- UCF batters picked up three two-out RBIs in the contest.
ON DECK
The Knights return to Plainsman Park on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2:00 p.m. ET looking to complete the three-game road sweep of the No. 8 Auburn Tigers as Joe Sheridan is set for his second start of 2020.
DON'T MISS OUT
The UCF baseball team is in 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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