In a highly anticipated matchup in Coral Gables between the UCF Knights (18-17) and their instate rival Miami Hurricanes (27-4), the Knights did not come ready to play vs the No. 1-ranked college baseball team in the country. Miami made quick work of UCF with an 8-4 win at Alex Rodriguez Park.
The Hurricanes sweep the season series against the Knights, after winning the first game 5-2 on March 16 in Orlando and win their 11th consecutive game.
UCF starting pitcher, freshman Bryce Tucker, made his first career start. It was a big spot for him. He did not have his best stuff early. It showed as he got off to a rough start by throwing more than 30 pitches in the first inning. He only lasted 1 2/3 innings with 43 pitches.
In the first inning he threw three straight walks, which scored a run, and the nightmare for UCF was just beginning.
The Knights bullpen was heavily used throughout the game with eight pitchers having generally negative results. The whole unit struggled to keep their consistency.
The Knights’ pitchers threw 13 walks and had seven wild pitches while giving up seven runs in what was an underwhelming performance to say the least on a night where they had to be sharp and bring their ‘A’ game to even have a chance to win.
On the other hand, Hurricanes sophomore starting pitcher Jesse LePore had an amazing pitching performance. The Knights should remember LePore as he and Miami beat them 5-2 last month at UCF after throwing five solid innings during that last matchup. This time he had six innings of solid work and threw 91 pitches, six strikeouts and four walks.
LePore had a perfect game after three innings until he walked UCF third baseman Matthew Mika in the fourth inning. He had a no hitter going until UCF catcher Anthony George hit an RBI-double in the top of the fifth inning with two outs.
Mike had two of UCF’s seven hits in the games as the Hurricanes continually shut the door whenever the Knights made a run.
The Hurricanes bullpen allowed the Knights to get back in the game after giving up three runs in the top of the eighth inning making it a three-run game at 7-4.
That was the closest the Knights were going to get as the Hurricanes scored another run in the eighth inning to make it 8-4. The Knights pitching could not keep them in the game and the hitting could not scratch much against the Hurricanes pitching in the end.
Miami junior closer Bryan Garcia shut the door and prevented any chance of a comeback by saving the game in the ninth inning.
UCF is back in action Friday to start off a weekend series with rival USF.
