Knights, Tars teams get their revenge

The Knights may have lost a big one to UAB, but they came back with two revenge-match thrillers that ended in a walk-off single to take the series on April 8.

It would be the only hit that left fielder JoMarcos Woods would collect in the game, and it would prove the decisive one. With the game tied at 7, the Knights came to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning hoping to clinch a series in a final shot at a win.

They had a lot on the line, with a No. 14 NCAA ranking and a 27-7, 7-2 record to defend. They also had a bit of a grudge to satisfy after a wild six-error series opener left them smarting with an 11-4 loss on their hands. That game had been especially traumatic for UCF pitchers, who gave up only one earned run of the 11 that crossed the plate.

For Brian Adkins, who fell to 2-1 on the season with that April 6 loss, the game was a nightmare. In three and two thirds innings pitched he would strike out four batters, but he watched in horror as a slew of fielding errors resulted in nine runs crossing the plate in the fourth inning, none of which were attributed to him.

But those memories were erased by Woods’ single that drove in the winning run to end the third game of the series at home.

After hosting Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman Tuesday and Wednesday at press time, the Knights will hit the road for Southern Miss for a three-game series before returning against Florida Atlantic on April 17.

Rollins routs Eckerd

The Tars had the same roller coaster as the Knights, but with a less dramatic finale at the end. After falling to Eckerd 4-1 on April 5, the Tars went on a tear, winning 4-1 the next day then blowing them out 13-0 to finish off a doubleheader in dominating fashion.

And they did it all on Eckerd’s home field in St. Petersburg. Starter Brett Mueller pitched a brilliant four hitter in five innings to shut down Eckerd, while the Tars’ bats did the rest of the work. Anthony Figliolia, Zach Persky and Sean Reilly led the hit parade, with Persky and Reilly both hammering doubles. All three of them also had a stolen base apiece as they took advantage of lax defense to get into scoring position.

For the Tars, who played Flagler at press time Wednesday, a three-game series at Barry awaits this weekend. They’ll return home against Florida Tech at 6 p.m. Friday, April 20.