UCF baseball loses extra-inning heartbreaker

The Knights had already turned a weekend of bizarre twists into two wins when they stepped into the 10th inning of game three against Central Connecticut (2-2) and everything fell apart.

The 5-4 extra innings loss in that final game was actually two losses in one. The Knights (9-12) lost a lead that they had held for all but half an inning for the entire game when they gave up two runs in the ninth on a one-out, two-RBI single that would change the course of the game in an instant. Two 10th-inning pass balls and a deep-fly ball later, the Knights were sunk.

Sam Tolleson gave the Knights most of their offensive fireworks, going three-for-five with two RBI in the game on a double and a solo shot.

The Knights would use six pitchers in the game, with Zach Rodgers giving up just two runs on 5 and 1/3 innings pitched while striking out three. Tyler Martin would draw the short straw in the game, giving up the loss and retiring none in his 10th inning relief appearance.

With a lot more baseball season left to go the Knights start up American Athletic Conference play March 21 with a three-game series against Cincinnati (7-11), which is nearly the conference basement dweller.

The Knights will be looking to shore up their AAC credibility after a disastrous season for UCF’s basketball teams, both of which had lopsided losing seasons. The first game starts at 6:30 p.m. March 21, followed by games at 4 p.m. on March 22 and 1 p.m. on March 23.

Rollins baseball

Three games into Sunshine State Conference play, the Tars have three conference losses. The Tars dropped all three to Tampa at home by 9-0, 6-3, and 12-8 margins.

Center fielder Peter Nicoletto, batting deep in the order, cranked out three hits in four at bats and scored two runs to try to boost the Tars to victory Sunday, but a wild 12-run effort by Tampa (23-1, 6-0), which took the lead on a four-run eighth inning, decided it.

With the losses, the Tars (12-11, 0-6) sank to the bottom of the SSC standings, below winless Saint Leo. They head to St. Petersburg to face Eckerd (14-6, 4-2) this weekend, then take off to Miami Shores for a three-game series against Barry (17-8, 1-5) on March 28-29, but will return home for a game against Saint Leo (14-8, 0-3) at 6 p.m. April 2.