Jacksonville, Fla. – In game two of the weekend series with Jacksonville, the Knights picked up their eighth win of the year as they topped the Dolphins on Saturday, 12-9.
The Knights jumped out to an early lead in the second, plating the first run of the game on an error. Jacksonville gained the lead in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own to make the game 3-1; but it would be the last lead of the night for the Dolphins.
Jordan Rathbone hit a two-run home run to bring the Knights even with Jacksonville, 3-3 in the third inning, before smacking a bases loaded triple in the fourth to put UCF on top, 6-3. Connor Allen picked up the big hit in the fifth with his second home run of the year, this time a three-run shot.
Jacksonville answered with three runs of their own in the fifth and three more in the bottom of the ninth, but the Knights were able to hold off the home team with three insurance runs in the last three innings of the ball game.
UCF (8-10) – 12, Jacksonville (5-11) – 9
Winning Pitcher: Jack Sinclair (1-1)
Losing Pitcher: Mike Cassala (1-3)
Top Hitters: Connor Allen (3-4, HR, 3 RBI SB), Jordan Rathbone (2-5, 2 R, 3B HR, 5 RBI)
Top Pitchers: Billy McKay (2.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER), Jack Sinclair (5.0 IP, 2 K, W)
Notes:
- The Knights extend the lead in the all-time series to 48-40
- UCF evens the season series against Florida foes at 5-5 on the year.
- Fourth time this season the UCF baseball team scored 10+ runs in a game
- Jack Sinclair made his third start of the 2021 campaign, picking up his first win of the year.
- With his two-hit performance, Jordan Rathbone is now riding an eight-game hitting streak
- Jordan Rathbone drove in a career-high five RBI with his two RBI home run and three RBI triple
- Pablo Ruiz picked up a season-high three hits in the road contest.
ON DECK
The UCF baseball team returns to John Euliano Park to finish the weekend series with Jacksonville on Sunday, March 21. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
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