ORLANDO, Fla. – William Saxton worked a scoreless final four innings, striking out six batters, to earn his first save of the season Sunday, as the Knights (13-7) defeated the Spartans (10-10) 3-2. Ben Vespi earned his first win on the mound, taking over for Hunter Patteson in the third, working three innings of one hit baseball.
The Knights opened the scoring in the third inning, as Gephry Pena singled to left center field to score Ben Rushing and Tom Josten. Later in the inning, Pena stole second and third, scoring on an error by the catcher.
UNCG answered in the fifth with a two-run home run of their own, before William Saxton entered the ballgame in the sixth. Saxton worked the next four innings, allowing one hit and striking out six batters. In the ninth, Saxton allowed the first runner aboard on a hit by pitch, before the runner advances on a ground ball.
Saxton went on to retire the next two Spartans via the strikeout to end the ballgame and earn his first save of the season.
SCORING MOMENTS
BOTTOM 3rd | UNCG 0 – UCF 3 | Gephry Pena singled to left center to score Ben Rushing and Tom Josten. Pena stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
TOP 5th | UNCG 2 – UCF 3 | UNCG cuts the lead with a two-run home run.
GAME NOTES
- Ben Vespi earned his first win of the season, working three innings, allowing two runs on one hit and striking out two.
- William Saxton picked up his first save of the season, working the final four innings and striking out six batters.
- Gephry Pena stole three bases on Sunday to bring his weekend total to seven. He drove in the first two RBIs of the game, finishing 2-for-4.
UP NEXT
UCF will hit the road for the final time in the month of march, traveling to Tallahassee, Florida to take on the No. 8 Seminoles. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Dick Howser Stadium.