ORLANDO, Fla. – No.15 UCF has set the league on fire early on, improving to 10-1 on Sunday while keeping their hold on the AAC. The Knights played two close games against No.18 Ole Miss over a Sunday doubleheader, winning the first 3-2 and dropping the second 4-3.
“I’m extremely proud of our team,” said Head Coach Rooney after the game, continuing, “These guys did a heck of a job from the first pitch on Friday all the way to today.”
In college baseball the first game of a double header is always shortened to seven innings, so the early game was played in a modified setting.
Cre Finfrock took the mound for 4.1 innings on his way to his third win of the season, striking out two, walking two, and allowing two earned runs – needing every bit of the three runs he got in support to nail down the win.
It was Harrison Hukari, however, who shut down Ole Miss over 2.2 innings of work with zero offensive production behind him. Hukari earned his first save of the season and struck out three while refusing to surrender a hit, even stranding the two runners he inherited when he took the mound. A solitary walk was the only time the Rebels sniffed the basepaths in a lights out performance.
“He came back this year and is just lights out,” said catcher Jordan Savinon. “His work ethic is awesome behind doors and he deserves it, he deserves all of it. He’s throwing harder, his curveball is moving more, his changeup is awesome.”
A short two-out rally was started by Kyle Marsh in the fourth with a single up the middle, and finished with a flourish by Jordan Savion’s home run to right field. The two run homer was the last time UCF was able to get runs across in the first game. Savinon was a part of every bit of offensive production, scoring the Knights’ first run in the third inning.
Maybe it was the early morning wake up call, maybe it was the strong emphasis on pickoff plays from both teams, maybe the long weekend had worn on the players, but the second game of the day was played at a snail’s pace.
There was an added sense of urgency in the second game though, as Ole Miss had travel restrictions that meant no inning could be started after 3:00 p.m. The time limit only added to the late-inning drama.
UCF was unable to spark anything on offense until the bottom of the sixth. Dylan Moore singled to put himself on, and Erik Barber launched his third home run of the year to bring the score to 3-2 and re-energize a packed house.
Down 3-2 and running out of time, Marsh came through again in a big way with a leadoff single to start the seventh. James Vasquez followed with a double down the left field line, and an intentional walk loaded the bases with no outs.
Dylan Moore hit a routine ground ball just hard enough to drive in a run and hustled his tail off to make sure the double play couldn’t be turned, tying the game at three before UCF stranded the two runners.
Though Robby Howell gave the Knights 5.2 quality innings of work, he labored to close out innings at times and was forced to maneuver his way out of multiple jams early on. Ole Miss took Howell deep twice, on solo home runs from Sikes Orvis and the younger brother of UCF royalty – Colby Bortles.
Bortles’ long fly to left was the biggest splash he’d made all weekend, a monster shot that was never in doubt. Colby stands as an imposing physical presence as his brother at 6 foot 5 inches and 245 pounds. On hand to see the feat was none other than Head Coach George O’Leary, watching the game from the first-base side.
Another strong outing from the bullpen helped stabilize the game and kept the power-happy Rebels offense in check. Trent Thompson was dominant over 3.1 innings, giving up zero runs and only one hit. He was replaced in the top of the ninth by Parker Thomas after surrendering his only hit.
The runner was advanced with a sacrifice bunt, and then to third on a costly balk call. Thomas walked a runner after the call, then was pulled in favor of Drew Farnitch.
Farnitch was uncomfortable from the start. He seemed to have difficulty with his command and walked in the go-ahead run, though he seemed to settle down a bit after and actually caught Bortles looking for the second out of the inning.
It would be enough for the Rebels. UCF was unable to manufacture anything but a single in the ninth, and fell for the first time this season, 4-3.
The rough ending did not phase Coach Rooney’s appreciation of the work his bullpen has put in all season.
“We’ve talked about solidifying the bullpen and I think they’re doing a good job, collectively as a staff, I think they’re doing a god job,” Rooney said.
The American Athletic Conference will remain in the Knights’ grasp after meeting the No. 18 ranked team in the nation and sets them up perfectly from a momentum stance as they gear up for a home-and-home series with perennial powerhouse Florida this week. The first pitch of the series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Jay Bergman Field.
