Written by Claudia Sly
Oviedo, FL — The Knights of UCF matched up against Bethune-Cookman Wednesday evening and were looking bounce back after dropping the final game in three-game series against Cincinnati on Sunday. The Bats got hot early and the strikes from the mound kept the Wildcats silent at the plate most of the evening as the Knights cruised to a 7-1 win.
Rylan Thomas was on the mound for UCF to get the evening started, and was looking to start off strong for UCF. He was the first player to make it on base, and UCF’s Ray Alejo was looking to help him out. BCU was quick on their feet, and Nate Sterijevski proceeded to stop UCF from taking the lead. The score remained 0-0 at the end of the first inning.
The next 2 innings remained scoreless as well. Dalton Wingo was on the mound for UCF in the bottom of the third inning, and despite getting to first base with a leadoff single, BCU pitcher picked him off and UCF was unable to break the scoreless tie
Both teams continued to go back and forth with UCF changing pitchers in the fourth inning after Jordan Sinclair’s 41 pitches. In the bottom of the fourth, after two outs, UCF Maximillian Wood got them on the board with a single to left field. The game continued to go in the Knights favor, as Dalton Wingo got UCF their second point with a double to left field. UCF led 2-0 at the bottom of the fourth inning.
As The UCF Knights looked to keep the score in their favor, the next inning BCU kept things interesting and loaded the bases, and an RBI single by Geovany Lorenzo gave them their first point. In the bottom of the fifth, UCF Rylan Thomas created more separation between the teams as he knocked a 3 run bomb. UCF increased their lead over BCU 5-1.
The sixth and seventh innings were scoreless, as UCF remained up 5-1. The Knights then went into the bottom of the eighth and Brandon Hernandez helped Wingo run home with his single into left field. Dallas Beaver then got UCF another point when he drove the ball into the right field. In the top of the final inning, BCU could not regain momentum and they did not get any points. The Knights outstanding play gave them the win over Bethune-Cookman 7-1.
The Knights will be looking for back to back wins in their next game against USF on Saturday, April 21st at 7:00 pm.
