UCF Holds Off Florida State, 9-7

Once down by five runs, Florida State put the winning run on base in the ninth inning, but couldn’t get him home in a 9-7 loss to UCF at Dick Howser Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Seminoles (14-5) entered the bottom of the ninth down 9-6 and cut that lead to two after Reese Albert drew a bases loaded walk with one out. UCF’s Kyle Kemp was able to settle down and strike out both Drew Mendoza and Elijah Cabell to end the game.

Leaving men on base was a theme for the Seminoles on Tuesday as they left 15 to just three for UCF. FSU drew first blood as Nico Baldour walked with the bases loaded in the first inning. After the teams traded a pair of runs in the fourth, the Knights (15-6) blew things open with six runs in the top of the fifth.

Dallas Beaver delivered the big blow with a 2-run double, which was followed up by Anthony George’s RBI double. The Seminoles were able to add three in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run single from Nander De Sedas and a sacrifice fly from Albert, but never got closer than two the rest of the way.

Albert finished the evening with three RBIs for FSU while Cabell, De Sedas and Mike Salvatore all had two hits. Ray Alejo, Tyler Osik and Matthew Mika all had a pair of hits for the Knights in the win. Osik plated three runs in the victory.

Jack Sinclair allowed three runs, but only one earned in an inning of work for UCF to get the win. FSU starter Antonio Velez took the loss. The Seminoles will return to action Wednesday afternoon against Florida International.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson