Orlando, Fla – The Knights lost another one-run heartbreaker on Tuesday night, this time falling victim to the Florida State Seminoles 11-10.
UCF had its work cut out for them from the start. The Seminoles were ranked No. 2 in the nation for a reason, and the hype about Jameis Winston on the mound was anything but overstated.
The Heisman winning closer diminished the UCF comeback over his 1.2 innings on the mound, entering the game to a roar of applause from a dominantly garnet and gold clad crowd. He struck out three of the eight batters he faced and gave up two hits for one run, but walked off the field with the save.
As a matter of fact, the following that appeared in Winston’s wake shattered the previous UCF attendance record and set the new bar at 3,953.
In a game that seemed to stand still in time, the Knights seemed to hold their own offensively until the bitter end. The offense kept them in the game for the most part, but produced only one run during the last three innings – a crucial part of the game emphasized by Coach Rooney.
“We talk about, as a program, winning the last three and we certainly didn’t do that. We’ve gotta get better in the last three innings. To win championships, you have to close it out in seven eight and nine,” he said.
He would not however, give his team anything but positive feedback following a four hour game of solid fundamental baseball on offense.
“I’m so proud of these guys. This team is relentless. This team works hard. This team is confident.”
Erik Barber showed up in a big way for the Knights, driving in four of their ten runs. Three came on a momentum shifting bases clearing double that put UCF up 6-3.
Trent Thompson was stuck with the loss after two innings of work. He was the fifth of six UCF pitchers to toe the rubber.
The teams will meet again Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Jay Bergman Field
