The UCF Knights beat the Kansas State Wildcats 10-6 on Thursday at John Euliano Park. Seven of the Knights’ 10 runs came after the seventh inning stretch, including five in the following frame.
“I think we all know we’re capable as an offensive group,” UCF pinch hitter Stephen Chucka said. “To display that, and it’s really cool to see.”
Knights left fielder John Smith III and first baseman Landon Moran both had three-hit games, with three other Knights collecting two hits each. Wildcats designated hitter AJ Evasco led the team with two hits, including a home run to start the scoring.
Kansas State chased out UCF starter Mateo Gray 3.1 innings, leaving two runners on in a tied game. Knights reliever Max Murray walked two batters in a row, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.
“There was just that limit of how long we want to push [Gray] and we liked where the bullpen was,” UCF coach Rich Wallace said. “There’s probably enough space in there where you worry about getting him hurt and he battled his tail off just to give us some outs. So we got him out there in a spot we thought we could manage the rest of the game.”
In the bottom of the fifth, an Austin Jacobs popup turned into a hit. UCF center fielder DeAmez Ross added another single, and a Smith III groundout scored the tying run. Knights catcher Zak Skinner singled through the right side of the infield for a 3-2 Knights lead.
After collecting two quick outs, the bottom of the Wildcats order rallied. Evasco hit a double and advanced to third on a passed ball.
Center fielder Cadyn Karl hit a single to tie the game before stealing second and getting to third on a wild pitch. Wildcats leadoff hitter Nick English hit a single to score Karl, taking a 4-3 lead into the seventh.
The Knights responded with a five-run seventh inning including a Moran RBI single, a bases-clearing three RBI double by pinch hitter Stephen Chucka, and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Lodise.
“That was a professional at bat by Chucka who knew exactly what he was looking for, got it, didn’t miss it,” Wallace said. “Couldn’t be a bigger swing than that.”
UCF carried the momentum into the bottom of the eighth, as Smith III collected his third hit. Knights right fielder Andrew Williamson hit a ball over the right field wall, giving the Knights a 10-4 lead into the final frame.
Despite a Bear Madliak two-run home run, Kansas State could not complete the improbable comeback.
Next up:
The Knights continue the series against the Wildcats on Friday. UCF is looking to win their seventh Big XII series heading into the conference tournament.
“That’s a really good offensive club,” Wallace said. “We pitched out of some stuff. We got our hands full of the next two games.”
First pitch against the Wildcats is set for 6 p.m. on May 15.