• Final stats

The UCF Knights and the USF Bulls’ rivalry reignited on April 20, but the fireworks were mostly restricted to the two teams’ pitchers’ arms.

UCF (27-12, 7-6 in American Athletic Conference) traveled to Tampa and beat the Bulls (24-14, 7-6 in AAC) 1-0 behind the arms of starter Cre Finfrock (4-0) and closer Thad Ward.

Both Knights pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, as Finfrock tallied eight in 6.0 innings. Finfrock allowed the Bulls’ only hit in the bottom of the second inning.

As for UCF’s offense, it also did its damage in the beginning of the game. The Knights recorded their only two hits in the first inning, but they were enough to beat USF.

After lead-off hitter Dallas Beaver struck out swinging, center fielder Ray Alejo tripled to right-center field. The first of two mistakes in the first inning between the Bulls’ pitcher and catcher allowed the Knights to score the only run of the game, as a passed ball allowed Alejo to dart home.

One strikeout later, second baseman Matthew Mika singled to center field for UCF’s final hit of the game. He also found himself in scoring position when Bulls starter Shane McClanahan‘s (4-5) wild pitch allowed him to advance to second. UCF’s third swinging strikeout of the opening inning, though, ended that threat.

The top of the order produced another scoring chance in the third inning for UCF. Beaver drew four-straight balls, and Alejo drew a full-count walk to put two runners on, but a flyout and strikeout by first baseman Rylan Thomas and Mika, respectively, erased the effort.

USF produced its most dangerous scoring threat in the fourth by placing runners on the corners. This came by way of erroneous pitching by Finfrock, as he started the bottom frame by hitting junior David Villar on the first pitch. Against his next batter, Finfrock threw a wild pitch to allow Villar to claim second.

Villar advanced to third on a groundout to the pitcher before junior J.D. Dutka walked. Though, a first-pitch flyout to left field stopped USF in the very next at-bat.

Who’s Next?

The Knights and the Bulls return to action in Tampa on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. for Game 2.

For more on the Knights, as they look to win their third conference series of the season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.

To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newayreview.com.