Written by Austin Fackler
OVIEDO, Fla. - It was a beautiful day for baseball as the Knights looked to come out of their opening weekend 2-1.
The Knights were sitting at 1-1 on the season already after opening their season on Friday, coming into Sunday they were battling the also 1-1 Samford Bulldogs. UCF came in ranked as the 22nd college baseball team in the country.
Samford got the scoring started in the top of the third when Troy Dixon tripled down the right field line scoring Sam Teague which gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Austin Edens singled to center, which allowed Dixon to score giving Samford a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th however, UCF’S bats would come alive with Ray Alejo doubling and then stealing third. Then after an overthrow at third Alejo scored, the inning would not end there though. Following the score, Dallas Beaver and Brody Wofford were both hit by pitches and Tyler Osik walked to load to bases for pinch hitter Chandler Robertson. He would make the most of his opportunity , singling to right scoring two to help the Knights grab a 3-2 lead.
The Knights bats would go quiet until the 7th inning when Matt Mika doubled down the left field line and after stealing third scored on another throwing error at third base which gave UCF a 4-2 lead.
The Knights looked to be in control of the game heading into the top of the 9TH. However, the Bulldogs would not go away quietly, coming out swinging the bats getting two men on base quickly. Those both turned into runs for Samford tying the game at 4. Shortly after Samford would regain the lead on a single from Ryan Crockett that the Bulldogs would not relinquish.
The Knights threatened in the bottom of the 9th as Robertson singled and was replaced by Max Wood for his speed, but it would not be enough after a single from Mika, Wood would try and score from second and was thrown out at home to end the game with Samford winning 5-4.
The Knights next game will be played at Stetson on Tuesday starting at 6:30
The Knights were sitting at 1-1 on the season already after opening their season on Friday, coming into Sunday they were battling the also 1-1 Samford Bulldogs. UCF came in ranked as the 22nd college baseball team in the country.
Samford got the scoring started in the top of the third when Troy Dixon tripled down the right field line scoring Sam Teague which gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Austin Edens singled to center, which allowed Dixon to score giving Samford a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the 4th however, UCF’S bats would come alive with Ray Alejo doubling and then stealing third. Then after an overthrow at third Alejo scored, the inning would not end there though. Following the score, Dallas Beaver and Brody Wofford were both hit by pitches and Tyler Osik walked to load to bases for pinch hitter Chandler Robertson. He would make the most of his opportunity , singling to right scoring two to help the Knights grab a 3-2 lead.
The Knights bats would go quiet until the 7th inning when Matt Mika doubled down the left field line and after stealing third scored on another throwing error at third base which gave UCF a 4-2 lead.
The Knights looked to be in control of the game heading into the top of the 9TH. However, the Bulldogs would not go away quietly, coming out swinging the bats getting two men on base quickly. Those both turned into runs for Samford tying the game at 4. Shortly after Samford would regain the lead on a single from Ryan Crockett that the Bulldogs would not relinquish.
The Knights threatened in the bottom of the 9th as Robertson singled and was replaced by Max Wood for his speed, but it would not be enough after a single from Mika, Wood would try and score from second and was thrown out at home to end the game with Samford winning 5-4.
The Knights next game will be played at Stetson on Tuesday starting at 6:30