By: Kevin Ruane
The UCF Knights (12-12) have now won their first two games in the American Conference by winning 7-3 against the Cincinnati Bearcats (8-13) in Orlando on Saturday.
UCF could only manage one home run from Sam Tolleson against Cincy starter Connor Walsh in the first five inning. The Bearcats had a slight 2-1 lead when the Knights blew the game wide open and scored five in the bottom of the sixth.
The inning started off with back-to-back singles from Tommy Williams and Tolleson. Freshman Kam Gellinger laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached first on a throwing error by Walsh that also brought Williams in all the way from second. Catcher Jordan Savinon then drove in Tolleson and Gellinger with a single to center.
Cincinnati manager Ty Neal then replaced Walsh with reliever Bryan Chenoweth. After a walk to JoMarcos Woods and two quick outs, Chenoweth then allowed a two run double to junior Erik Barber. Chenworth struck out Tommy Williams to end the inning with a 6-2 UCF lead.
Both teams scored one run each in the seventh and the Bearcats could only manage one more in the ninth to give the Knights a 9-4 victory. This was the offensive outburst the Knights needed to avoid relying too much on a bullpen that has been shaky at times this season.
UCF will go for the sweep tomorrow at 1 p.m. to start off conference play at a hot 3-0.
