Much of the emphasis for UCF entering this season was on finishing series on “Championship Sunday.” That is where the Knights struggled in their disappointing 2015 season. It would be the focus entering 2016 even with a remade offense.
The rotation though seemed set. They could afford to put the focus on Sunday because Fridays and Saturdays seemed completely set. Cre Finfrock had a stellar freshman year, going 7-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 15 games. The Knights felt they had found their ace for this season.
Finfrock has pitched every Friday series so far this year, taking on that role. It is not something coach Terry Rooney is likely to change with a solid rotation setling in.
Finfrock though has struggled in his new role. At times he is masterful and at times he struggles. Friday has been something of a mixed bag. Finfrock has gone 3-3 with a 3.24 ERA in nine starts so far this year. He has a 1.03 WHIP and a .209 batting average against. He goes an average of 6.5 innings per start.
Finfrock has not been bad, but the Knights have not cashed in on his performances that often. UCF is 6-3 in Finfrock’s starts.
No, the true ace for this team that has emerged is the Saturday starter, the junior veteran Robby Howell. And his emergence has come virtually out of nowhere.
Howell earned his second American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week award this week after going seven innings giving up one hit. He carried a no hitter into the seventh inning as UCF won 7-0 over rival USF.
It is one of many stellar performances for Howell throughout this season.
This year, Howell leads the American Conference with a 1.14 ERA and 7-0 overall record, posting a 0.93 WHIP. He averages 7.0 innings per start. UCF has three shutouts in Howell’s nine starts. His 1.14 ERA is seventh overall in the country.
The Knights have had two pitchers to give plenty of relief to their bullpen and get them deep into games. It is just about what the offense can provide in support. These two starters are truly setting the table.
Howell though came more from his improvement though. As a sophomore last year, he posted a 5-9 record with 5.69 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. Howell averaged 4.7 innings pitched per appearance, starting in 15 of his 17 appearances. This was not a guy that seemed poised for this kind of a breakout. Current top reliever Harrison Hukari very well could have slid into the rotation based solely on last year’s numbers.
While Finfrock has struggled in conference — 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA — Howell has only gotten better. Howell has posted a perfect 2-0 record in three appearances with a 0.84 ERA. Saturday has become an almost guaranteed win day for the Knights in many ways based solely on Howell’s arm.
At 20-18, 5-4, UCF still has plenty of work to do to take steps forward and compete even within its own conference. The Knights are currently tied for third place after three conference series, sitting a game back of Cincinnati. This weekend’s series against Tulane is an important one with Tulane also at .500.
The Knights are No. 99 in the latest NCAA-released RPI. They are not likely looking at a tournament berth without a strong conference season.
One thing they know for sure at this point is that Robby Howell will be that reliable arm for them. Every Saturday, UCF can almost count on at least a win ever weekend.
