The Knights continued to play with a purpose on Tuesday night, complementing their strong conference play with an 8-4 victory over the UNF Ospreys. The victory moves UCF into a 9 game winning streak that includes two consecutive in-conference sweeps.
UCF didn’t waste any time drawing first blood, methodically moving two runners across the plate in the first inning with fundamental small ball – two singles, a bunt, and a sacrifice fly.
The Ospreys finally made some noise in the fifth inning with a solo blast to close the lead to 3-1. The dinger was followed by a hard-hit single that prompted the end of starter Ryan Meyer’s night.
Joe Marotta made an appearance in relief, and in classic Marotta sequence, he struck out 3 of the batters he faced and walked the lone other. The effort was enough to get him the win, improving his record to 1-1.
Offensively, the game was made in the final three frames for both teams. Coach Terry Rooney is known for his emphasis on the last three innings; apparent as the Knights stifled the three run comeback start by UNF with four late-inning runs of their own to hold down the lead.
Erik Barber, Dylan Moore, and Derrick Salberg collected 2 RBIs each on a total six hits. The trio also scored two runs each, proving the value in the top of the batting order. Barber’s 2 RBIs put him at a team high 28 for the season.
UCF will continue a four game road trip this weekend in Tampa, participating in another battle in the War on I4. USF has been the second best team in the American so far this season, tailing the Knights by 2 games.
Friday’s game is scheduled for a 7:00 pm first pitch.
