Written by Taylor Bonin
UCF took game 1 of their series against Cincinnati with a grand slam comeback in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Bearcats took advantage of several walks, 3 errors, and a combine of a total of 7 hits to score their 7 runs. However, those runs were not enough to surpass UCF and their explosive 10 hits. Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the 7th, Sam Tolleson brought in his fellow knights to give them the lead and finish the game with a score of 8-7
The first couple innings of the game were quiet for both teams. Several quick outs from UCF and Cincinnati, as all outs came from fly outs, ground outs, and strikeouts. UCF scored the first 2 runs of the game in the 3rd, with a long homerun over the left field wall by Logan Heiser with one runner on base. Cincinnati was able to take advantage of poor pitching in the 4th and scored a total of 4 runs from drawn walks and 2 UCF errors.
Going into the Bottom of the 6th UCF looked to take the lead trailing 4-3, but was kept silent with tough Cincinnati pitching which struck out 3 consecutive batters after a walk and a stolen base from Kam Gellinger. Not being able to capitalize and bring a run in, the Bearcats went on to add an insurance run in the top of the 7th, leading 5-3 with only a total of 3 hits Cincinnati relied entirely on their defense.
UCF began to get something going in the bottom of the 7th with careful base running and singles from Matt Diorio up the middle and Ryan Crile through the right side. Trailing 5-4 UCF took the lead with a huge grand slam homerun over the left field wall from Sam Tolleson. Now leading 8-5
The 8th inning was a collection of six quick outs from UCF and Cincinnati, however excitement and nerves filled the air with the Bearcats battling to the end getting singles to right field from Treg Haberkorn and R.J. Thomas which allowed Cincinnati’s advancement of runners that led to score two additional runs. Coming close but not finding another run to tie, The Bearcats fell shy of a win as UCF managed to hold the 8-7 lead and get the final out needed to end the game.
UCF took game one of the series and looks to continue the momentum in game 2. In a bizarre game UCF knows, “Its not how you start its how you finish, and have to continue to get it going.” As Head coach Terry Rooney speaks about the importance of winning game 1 but knowing the team has to focus and get ready to play two more game against Cincinnati.
UCF looks to recharge and prepare to play game 2 Saturday May 7th at Jay Bergman field, first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m..
The first couple innings of the game were quiet for both teams. Several quick outs from UCF and Cincinnati, as all outs came from fly outs, ground outs, and strikeouts. UCF scored the first 2 runs of the game in the 3rd, with a long homerun over the left field wall by Logan Heiser with one runner on base. Cincinnati was able to take advantage of poor pitching in the 4th and scored a total of 4 runs from drawn walks and 2 UCF errors.
Going into the Bottom of the 6th UCF looked to take the lead trailing 4-3, but was kept silent with tough Cincinnati pitching which struck out 3 consecutive batters after a walk and a stolen base from Kam Gellinger. Not being able to capitalize and bring a run in, the Bearcats went on to add an insurance run in the top of the 7th, leading 5-3 with only a total of 3 hits Cincinnati relied entirely on their defense.
UCF began to get something going in the bottom of the 7th with careful base running and singles from Matt Diorio up the middle and Ryan Crile through the right side. Trailing 5-4 UCF took the lead with a huge grand slam homerun over the left field wall from Sam Tolleson. Now leading 8-5
The 8th inning was a collection of six quick outs from UCF and Cincinnati, however excitement and nerves filled the air with the Bearcats battling to the end getting singles to right field from Treg Haberkorn and R.J. Thomas which allowed Cincinnati’s advancement of runners that led to score two additional runs. Coming close but not finding another run to tie, The Bearcats fell shy of a win as UCF managed to hold the 8-7 lead and get the final out needed to end the game.
UCF took game one of the series and looks to continue the momentum in game 2. In a bizarre game UCF knows, “Its not how you start its how you finish, and have to continue to get it going.” As Head coach Terry Rooney speaks about the importance of winning game 1 but knowing the team has to focus and get ready to play two more game against Cincinnati.
UCF looks to recharge and prepare to play game 2 Saturday May 7th at Jay Bergman field, first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m..