Orlando, Fla. – The UCF baseball team clinched a series win on Friday night with a 6-0 win over Houston.
The Knights bats started early and often as Tom Josten led the game off with a solo home run. The next three batters all got on base with singles, which pushed the UCF lead to 2-0.
A hit by pitch and two more singles later and the score was 4-0 in favor of the Knights in the first. In Josten's second at bat of the first inning he got plunked by the pitch which plated the fifth run of the inning.
After the huge first inning, UCF starter Jack Sinclair got to work. He tossed three shutout innings only allowing one hit while striking out two Cougars and walking none.
AJ Jones came out the pen and picked up right where Sinclair left off. He threw six shutout innings, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out eight Houston hitters.
The Knights would add another run in the seventh inning on a solo shot by Josh Crouch that left the stadium in an instant.
But, that wasn't the end of the excitement. Houston's Ian McMillan ripped a line drive down the third base line and Ryne Edmondson was running home. Trent Taylor threw a strike to Alex Freeland who fired it home and nailed Edmondson to end the game and clinch the series for the Knights.
Winning Pitcher: AJ Jones, (W, 4-3)
Losing Pitcher: Carter Henry (L, 2-5)
Top Pitcher: Jack Sinclair (3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 K), AJ Jones (6 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 8 K)
Top Hitters: Tom Josten (1-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 HBP, 1 BB), Josh Crouch (2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB)
Notables
- Through three games, UCF pitching has only allowed two runs. The best stretch of the season.
- Josten hit his seventh home run of the season and Crouch hit his 11th of the year.
- UCF's record against Houston is now 27-30
- The five run first inning was the biggest first inning of the season and was the second biggest inning of the season (scored six twice).
- Three wins in a row is one shy of their season high
UP NEXT
The Knights will go for their first sweep of the season on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. It will be their last home game of the season before heading to Clearwater for the AAC Tournament.
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