DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael Brooks hit his first career home run in the fifth inning, a two-run shot to left, to guide UCF (9-3) to a 3-2 victory over Bethune-Cookman (5-7) on Tuesday. Ruddy Gomez improved to 2-0 on the season, working 1.2 innings of one-hit baseball.
Bethune-Cookman put the first run on the board in the bottom of the third on a triple down the line in right. In the fifth, Michael Brooks hit his first career home run, a two-run shot to left field to give the Knights the lead. The Wildcats would respond in the bottom half, tying the game on a wild pitch.
In the sixth, Trent Taylor responded, flying out to center field to score Pablo Ruiz from third. The Knights and Wildcats traded base runners in the next two and a half innings, before UCF added insurance in the ninth.
Alex Freeland singled with the bases loaded to score Brooks and Noah Orlando. Ben McCabe flew out to center field and scored a pair, but Freeland was called out on an appeal to second for leaving early.
Kyle Kramer worked the final two innings, not allowing a hit and striking out four batters. Cylis Cox added a no-hit inning in the seventh to keep the Wildcats at bay. The Knights will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Florida A&M at John Euliano Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
SCORING MOMENTS
BOTTOM 3rd | B-CU 1 – UCF 0 | Bethune-Cookman takes the lead on a triple to right.
TOP 5th | B-CU 1 – UCF 2 | Michael Brooks hits a two-run home run to left field.
BOTTOM 5th | B-CU 2 – UCF 2 | The Wildcats tie the ballgame on a wild pitch.
TOP 6th | B-CU 2 – UCF 3 | Trent Taylor flies out to center to score Pablo Ruiz from third.
TOP 9th | B-CU 2 – UCF 6 | Alex Freeland singles up the middle to score Michael Brooks and Noah Orlando. Ben McCabe flies out to center field to score Gephry Pena.
GAME NOTES
- Michael Brooks hit his first career home run on Tuesday, a two-run blast to left field to give the Knights the lead in the fifth.
- Ruddy Gomez improved to 2-0 on the season, working 1.2 innings out of the bullpen. He struck out two batters and allowed one hit.
- Kyle Kramer collected his first save of the season, striking out four batters in two no-hit innings.
- Alex Freeland was one of two UCF batters to have two RBIs on the night.
UP NEXT
The Knights will return home for the second of five games this week, hosting Florida A&M at John Euliano Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.