ORLANDO – UCF came within 180 feet and three outs of upsetting the No. 20 Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday, but lost 6-5 after Miami scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 9th.
The Hurricanes came into Orlando on a tear, having won 10 of their last 12 games since falling to the Knights at home in March.
Trent Thompson was stuck with the loss after surrendering the decisive run. He was the seventh Knights’ pitcher to see the rubber, pitching for 1.1 innings, striking out two and walking one. Ryan Meyer started the contest and went two strong innings to start the game, both without giving up an earned run.
For the first five frames UCF was unable to get anything going on offense, scoring for the first time in the 6th inning with RBIs from Sam Tolleson, Kam Gellinger and Jordan Savinon. They added two more in the 8th inning to tie the game at five.
It was nothing glamorous that sealed Miami’s victory, just a sacrifice fly to center field. They only plated one run in the inning, but it would prove to be fatal.
UCF was able to put two men on base in the bottom of the ninth, leading off with a Dylan Moore double that should have extended the game. The team was unable to advance him past second though, and would end without a fight.
The Knights will host Memphis at home this weekend, beginning with Friday’s 7:30 pm scheduled start.
