TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) — UCF freshman second baseman Kyle Marsh totaled four hits and drove in the three runs for the Knights in a 7-3 loss to USF on Friday at the USF Baseball Complex. A two-hit day was also tallied by senior catcher Jordan Savinon.
Freshman righty Cre Finfrock gave the Knights another solid performance, yielding two runs over six innings and striking out five. A five-run seventh for the Bulls broke a 2-2 tie and proved to be the difference in the contest.
UCF (31-24, 10-13 The American) took advantage of a pair of walks drawn by sophomore left fielder Matt Diorio and senior catcher Jordan Savinon when Marsh registered a run-producing double to right.
The Knights erased USF (31-22-1, 12-11 The American) base runners in the second and fourth innings on ground balls to second baseman Marsh, who helped turn 4-6-3 double plays with assists from senior shortstop Dylan Moore and senior first baseman James Vasquez.
After USF knotted the contest with a two-out double in the fifth inning, a single to center by Savinon started a rally and Marsh delivered another clutch hit to put UCF back on top 2=1.
The Bulls answered to knot the game with a sac fly in their next at bat and broke the game open an inning later with five runs on six hits to take a 7-2 lead.
In the eighth frame, Savinon registered a two-out single before Vasquez drew a walk, setting up Marsh to notch an RBI single to left, 7-3.
The win in relief was picked up by USF's Michael Farley (4-2), who tossed one inning. Tommy Peters threw two solid frames of relief and fanned five.
USF was led at the play by Kevin Merell with three hits, while Luke borders drew a par of walks and drove in two with a double.
The loss was given to senior lefty Harrison Hukari, who fell to 4-4 on the year.
The finale of the three-game set begins at 1 p.m. Saturday with sophomore Robby Howell taking on Casey Mulholland.
The American Athletic Conference Championship is scheduled for May 19-24 in Clearwater, Fla. The Knights will open the double-elimination tournament at 11 a.m. Wednesday against the second seed.
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