STATISTICS
Tuesday, March 19 Results:
UCF 9, No. 14 Florida State 7
Kyle Kemp struck out the side in the ninth, including the last two batters with the bases loaded, as UCF held off No. 14 Florida State, 9-7 on Tuesday night. It marked the second midweek road win over a ranked team for the Knights this season. UCF also took down then-No. 3 Florida 12-9 on Feb. 27. The Knights also have a win over then-No. 15 Auburn, 6-1 on Feb. 23.
The Knights rallied for six runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good. The top of the order (Ray Alejo, Tyler Osik and Dallas Beaver) combined for six hits, five runs and five RBIs. Garrett Westberg and Jaylyn Whitehead combined for 3.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen, striking out five. Kemp pitched the final inning and earned the save. UCF looks to carry the momentum into its conference opener when it heads to No. 14 ECU for a three-game series. The first game of the set on Friday, March 22 will be broadcasted live on the American Digital Network.
Wright State 10, Cincinnati 4
A late rally wasn’t enough, as the Bearcats were plagued by an early surge from Wright State and took a 10-4 loss on the road Tuesday evening. A.J. Bumpass went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs score. Joey Bellini also had three hits with a double, run scored and an RBI. Mason DeAnna finished 2-for-2 with a walk. Cincinnati begins American Athletic Conference play this weekend with a trip to USF.
North Florida 7, USF 2
Despite eight hits for both sides, USF dropped Tuesday night's midweek matchup at North Florida, 7-2. The Bulls were playing from behind early on, as the Ospreys scored three runs in the first. USF didn't tally its first hit until a Kyle Phillips single to lead off the top of the fourth. Phillips, Garrett Zech and Austin Bodrato each had two hits. USF returns home for American Athletic Conference action Friday with a three-game series against Cincinnati.
Southeast Missouri State 7, Memphis 6
An early advantage was not enough as Memphis was defeated by Southeast Missouri State, 7-6, on Tuesday afternoon. The Tigers tallied four runs in the top of the first and held a pair of leads throughout the game. However, Southeast Missouri State tied the contest twice and scored four of the game's final five runs to complete the comeback. The Memphis pitching staff issued nine bases on balls and hit a pair of Redhawk batters. Offensively, Cale Hennemann and Payton Marshall both enjoyed multi-hit days for the Tigers. Alec Trela drove in a pair of runs and blasted his first home run of the season. Memphis looks to rebound this weekend as conference play begins at Wichita State.
McNeese State 1, Houston 0
McNeese State held a one-run lead through eight innings, as Houston dropped a pitchers’ duel on Tuesday night, 1-0. Sean Bretz closed the game with four no-hit innings. He worked around two walks and recorded a career-high six strikeouts. Grayson Padgett went 2-for-3 with a leadoff double to open the game. Starter Clay Aguiliar took the loss, surrendering the lone run of the game. Peyton McLemore tossed five innings in relief for McNeese State, scattering one hit and one walk, while striking out eight. After four games on the road, Houston returns to Don Sanders Field at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park to host UConn in its American Athletic Conference opener.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, March 20
UConn at Virginia (ACC Network Extra) - 4 p.m.
UNCW at ECU - 5 p.m.
Kansas at Wichita State (Cox) - 7 p.m.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Tulane - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 22
UCF at ECU (ADN) - 6:30 p.m.
Cincinnati at USF - 7 p.m.
Memphis at Wichita State - 7 p.m.
Houston Baptist at Tulane - 7:30 p.m.
UConn at Houston - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 23
Memphis at Wichita State - 3 p.m.
Houston Baptist at Tulane - 3 p.m.
UCF at ECU - 4 p.m.
UConn at Houston - 7:30 p.m.
Cincinnati at USF - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 24
UCF at ECU - Noon
UConn at Houston - 12:30 p.m.
Cincinnati at USF - 1 p.m.
Memphis at Wichita State - 2 p.m.
Houston Baptist at Tulane - 2 p.m.
All times Eastern and subject to change