No. 15 UCF continued to flex its offensive muscles and used an eight-run fourth inning on Wednesday night in route to a 18-8 victory over Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Knights totaled as season-best 19 base hits and tied their best start in school history at 8-0.
Senior third baseman Tommy Williams paced the team with three hits and three RBI. A trio of runs were also brought home by senior center fielder JoMarcos Woods.
Registering a triple, double and single along with two RBI were senior catcher Jordan Savinon and sophomore designated hitter Matt Diorio.
In his first game back to his hometown, freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh notched a pair of base knocks and two RBI. Two hits and two runs were driven in by senior shortstop Dylan Moore.
Tossing four innings in relief of junior Ryan Meyer, freshman Eric Hepple picked up his first win of the season. He tallied a pair of strikeouts. Combining to finish the contest were freshman Brad Rowley and senior Joe Marotta.
The Knights pounced on the Wildcats with a run in the first inning as Marsh poked a 2-1 pitch through the left side for a single. The Port Orange, Fla., native advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a ground-rule double to left from Diorio.
Bethune-Cookman recorded a double play in the second inning to retire the Knights in order. The Wildcats broke through in the bottom half with three two-out runs on four hits to take the lead.
UCF responded in a big way during the fourth frame batting around and tallying eight runs on six hits. The Knights then tacked on runs in each of the next five innings, including three runs in the fifth, to put up a season-best 18 runs on the scoreboard.
Sophomore catcher Kyle Perkins and first baseman Tyler Hayden notched their first hits of the season, while freshman second baseman Sam Bates crossed the plate for the first time as a Knight.
Bethune-Cookman (0-9) was led by Rakeem Quinn with two hits, while Jameel Edney brought in a pair of runs. The loss was handed to Tyler Norris (0-1).
Notes
-The 8-0 start for UCF ties the best start in program history set in 2008.
-UCF scored 18 runs for the first time since achieving that total against UAB, 18-6 (8) on 5/15/11.
-Most runs in a non-conference game since a 24-4 win over Hartford (3/14/10).
-Hepple became the second freshman to notch a win this season, joining classmate Cre Finfrock (2-0).
-The Knights took advantage of eight wild pitches from B-CU.
-The 8-0 start for UCF ties the best start in program history set in 2008.
-UCF scored 18 runs for the first time since achieving that total against UAB, 18-6 (8) on 5/15/11.
-Most runs in a non-conference game since a 24-4 win over Hartford (3/14/10).
-Hepple became the second freshman to notch a win this season, joining classmate Cre Finfrock (2-0).
-The Knights took advantage of eight wild pitches from B-CU.
UCF is set to host 2014 College World Series participant No. 18 Ole Miss for a three-game series presented by CFE Federal Credit Union. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance to watch this top-20 matchup that is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
WFTV
