Looking at Cre Finfrock’s pedestrian 2-2 record entering Friday’s game at Houston, it is hard to figure out exactly what is wrong with the sophomore pitcher.
The reality is though Finfrock has been putting in some stellar performances as he took over the Friday starter role. He was going up against the best the other team had to offer and was often not getting the help he needed to secure wins.
Finfrock has certainly posted solid numbers and given his team a chance to win with every start. His record is not as much a product of his play. They were things out of his control most of the time.
With No. 24 Houston standing in front of him in the team’s series opener Friday, UCF would need another strong effort from Finfrock. And give him the support he needed.
In a pitcher’s duel, the Knights got him a win his performance deserved in a 2-1 victory. Finfrock pitched into the ninth inning, seeing through the victory as relievers closed the door for the final two outs after giving up the lone run of the game.
UCF had not only a marquee win, but a big conference victory with its top pitcher on the mound. A simple quality start victory that took a total team effort to secure.
“That was a great college baseball game and two great pitchers,” coach Terry Rooney told UCFKnights.com. “Those are, in my opinon, certainly two of the best pitchers in our league and that’s Friday night in college baseball. Cre’s been doing a great job for us all year. He’s throwing strikes. He’s staying down in the zone. Tonight he made a few pitches in the clutch. He did a nice job against a very good Houston team.”
Finfrock went 8 1/3 innings, striking out five and giving up just four hits and one earned run. The game helped lower Finfrock’s ERA back to 2.57 for the year. UCF has gotten good production from him, just not wins or decisions.
This game the Knights offense was able to get just enough runs across and give Finfrock the support he needed. It did take some time though.
UCF did not score until the sixth inning when Eli Putnam legged out an infield single to bring Luke Hamblin home.
Hamblin hit 2 for 3 and scored the other run two, running home after Putnam beat out another infield single and Houston committed an error to open the door for Hamblin to get home.
Sam Tolleson provided nice defense in the ninth to record the final out and secure the win, catching an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to put the game away.
The Knights and Cougars continue their series Saturday night.
