The UCF Knights have started the season with a false step, losing three-consecutive games. Most recently, the Knights (1-3) lost to an undefeated Stetson University (4-0) team 1-0 at Conrad Park on Feb. 20.

Thad Ward made his second appearance of the season, pitching the first 3.0 innings of the game. The junior righty struck out the first seven batters he faced, walking three and allowing a hit and the lone run of the game, as he absorbs the loss.

For the Hatters, Joey Gonzalez matched Ward’s strikeouts with a seven-strikeout performance, too. Gonzalez went 7.0 innings, allowing a four hits and a walk in the win.

“I thought the pitchers did well. Thad wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked,” Knights head coach Greg Lovelady said, per the team. “I thought he lost it a little bit in the third, but he did a good job of managing it by only giving up one run.

“Right now, those runs really matter. We need to lean on pitchers more to get to the bullpen more.”

After recording his seventh strikeout to start the third, Ward’s pitching began to waver. The next three at-bats resulted in a walk, a base hit and a walk to load the bases with one out.

That setup allowed Mike Spooner for the sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Jacob Koos to score. Senior Austin Hale grounded out on the next at-bat to end the inning.

UCF recorded two hits, one in each of the second and fifth innings, before its two-hit sixth inning. Second baseman Matthew Mika singled to left field after Brandon Hernandez grounded out to the pitcher’s mound.

After Ray Alejo fouled out near first base, third baseman Dallas Beaver sent a base hit up the middle, advancing Mika to third. However, sophomore Rylan Thomas, who is tied for second in strikeouts for UCF with seven, struck out to end the inning.

“We need to do a better job of competing,” Lovelady said. “We need to have two good days of practice to figure this stuff out.”

Who’s Next?

UCF returns home for their second weekend series of the season, hosting Savannah State University. The series begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at John Euliano Park.

For more on the Knights, as they look for their second win of the season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.