Knights Avoid Sweep, Blow Out Dartmouth in Series-finale

The University of Central Florida only scored four runs in the first two games of the series. On Sunday, the Knights scored 15.

By
Andrea Mujica
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University of Central Florida outfielder Kyle Marsh attempts to bunt during a 15-0 win over Dartmouth College at Jay Bergman Field on Sunday, March 26, 2017. (Photo by Andrea Mujica / New Day Review)

Game Recap

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida encountered another bump in the road this weekend but got back on track on Sunday. After losing the first two games to Dartmouth College, UCF (19-6) defeated the Big Green (10-6) 15-0 in the series-finale at Jay Bergman Field in front of an announced crowd of 1,026.

Starting pitcher Joseph Sheridan (4-2) helped keep Dartmouth scoreless for the first six innings, allowing five hits and striking out five. Dartmouth starting pitcher Jackson Bubala (0-2) got the loss and sat after 3.1 innings, allowing seven runs (four earned), three hits, four walks and struck out two.

“It’s always a goal of mine just to be a starter and do what I can for the team,” Sheridan said after the game. “We got a lot of talent on our rotation. We could throw a bunch of different people out there. So, for Coach to pick me, it’s a big honor, and I gotta love up to it.”

With a 3-0 lead after the first inning, the Knights put the game out of reach, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Third baseman Brooks Morgan drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Then, center fielder Luke Hamblin walked to bring home the first run of the fifth. Second baseman Matthew Mika doubled to left-center field and brought in two runs. Mika scored the last run of the inning on a passed ball.

“They gave us a lot of free bases, but we just got hits,” head coach Greg Lovelady said after the game. “Last night, we had second and third, one out, we had runner on third base, one out, didn’t score him. Just couldn’t get the hits when we needed them. And, today, momentum was on our side. Guys got some big hits early. They put some runners on, and we took advantage of it.”

After scoring only four runs in the previous two games of the series, UCF scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to start the game.

Left fielder Kyle Marsh singled to second base and brought in the first run of the game. Then, with bases loaded, designated hitter Eli Putnam reached on fielder’s choice, and Mika scored. The last run of the inning came in after catcher Logan Heiser reached on an error by Dartmouth’s left fielder.

Mika said his team was frustrated in those first two games. In Sunday’s win, Mika and the Knights just played to have fun.

“We were struggling, we were frustrated, and we just kinda forgot about the rules of baseball,” Mika said after the game. “We just kinda went out here and just played our game, had fun and just put a lot of good at-bats. And pitchers came out and threw strikes, and, like I said, that’s all that we need.”

By the time the fifth inning ended, UCF led Dartmouth 10-0. Morgan’s sacrifice bunt allowed Heiser to score. The 10th run of the game in after Hamblin’s sacrifice fly to center field allowed shortstop Kam Gellinger to score.

UCF scored two more runs in the seventh and three in the eighth.

Player of the Game: Matthew Mika

Mika finished the game 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs. With a single in the first inning, he extended his hitting streak to 11 games. That ties Putnam’s season-high 11-game hitting streak in 2017.

What’s next?

UCF will host Jacksonville University on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Highlights

NDR Notes

  • Entering Sunday’s game, the Knights suffered their first two-game losing streak since dropping two to Florida State.
  • Mika tied Putnam’s season-high 11-game hitting streak when he singled in the first inning.
  • Marsh made his first appearance of the season on the mound. Two seasons ago, Marsh had Tommy John surgery and sat out last season.

Scoring

  University of Central Florida Dartmouth College
Runs 15 0
Hits 12 6
Errors 0 2
Left on Base 7 7
Inning Team Play Score
B1 University of Central Florida Kyle Marsh singled to second base, RBI; Matthew Mika advanced to third; Rylan Thomas scored, unearned 1-0, UCF
B1 University of Central Florida Eli Putnam reached on fielder’s choice, RBI; Josh Moser advanced to second, Kyle Marsh out at third, shortstop to third baseman; Matthew Mika scored, unearned 2-0, UCF
B1 University of Central Florida Logan Heiser reached on an error by left field, advanced to second, RBI; Eli Putnam advanced to third; Josh Moser scored, unearned 3-0, UCF
B4 University of Central Florida Luke Hamblin walked, RBI; Brooks Morgan advanced to second; Kam Gellinger advanced to third; Logan Heiser scored 4-0, UCF
B4 University of Central Florida Rylan Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice, RBI; Luke Hamblin out at second, shortstop to second base; Brooks Morgan advanced to third; Kam Gellinger scored 5-0, UCF
B4 University of Central Florida Matthew Mika doubled to left-center field, 2 RBIs; Rylan Thomas scored, Brooks Morgan scored 7-0, UCF
B4 University of Central Florida Matthew Mika scored on passed ball, unearned 8-0, UCF
B5 University of Central Florida Brooks Morgan grounded out to pitcher, sacrifice bunt, RBI; Kam Gellinger advanced to third; Logan Heiser scored 9-0, UCF
B5 University of Central Florida Luke Hamblin flew out to left-center field, sacrifice fly, RBI; Kam Gellinger scored 10-0, UCF
B7 University of Central Florida Bryrce Peterson walked, RBI; Brooks Morgan advanced to second; Kam Gellinger advanced to third; Dallas Beaver scored 11-0, UCF
B7 University of Central Florida Max Wood reached on a fielder’s choice, RBI; Bryce Peterson out at second, shortstop to second baseman; Brooks Morgan advanced to third; Kam Gellinger scored 12-0, UCF
B8 University of Central Florida Michael Higgins doubled to left field, RBI; Austin Griffin advanced to third; Josh Moser scored 13-0, UCF
B8 University of Central Florida Kam Gellinger doubled to left-center field, 2 RBIs; Michael Higgins scored; Austin Griffin scored 15-0, UCF

Statistics and Starting Lineups

Pitching

Player Team IP R ER H BB SO
Joe Sheridan (4-2) University of Central Florida 6.0 0 0 5 0 5
Jackson Bubala (0-2) Dartmouth College 3.1 7 4 3 4 2

Hitting

Player Team AB H R HR RBI SB BB SO
Matthew Mika University of Central Florida 5 2 2 0 2 2 0 0
Kam Gellinger University of Central Florida 3 2 3 0 2 0 0 1
Kyle Marsh University of Central Florida 4 2 0 0 1 0 0 0
Blake Crossing Dartmouth College 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

UCF starting lineup: 1. Luke Hamblin (8) 2. Rylan Thomas (3) 3. Matthew Mika (4) 4. Kyle Marsh (7) 5. Josh Moser (9) 6. Eli Putnam (DH) 7. Logan Heiser (2) 8. Kam Gellinger (6) 9. Brooks Morgan (5)

UCF starting pitcher: Joseph Sheridan (3-2)

Dartmouth starting lineup: 1. Trevor Johnson (8) 2. Matt Feinstein (7) 3. Dustin Shirley (4) 4. Michael Ketchmark (3) 5. Kyle Holbrook (9) 6. Mike Brown (DH) 7. Blake Crossing (5) 8. Nate Ostmo (6) 9. Adam Gauthier (2)

Dartmouth starting pitcher: Jack Bubala (0-1)

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