Box Score March 11, 2018 Box Score | Photo Gallery
No. 23 UCF survived a four-run eighth inning rally to complete the sweep of Siena Baseball 10-8 in Orlando. The Saints recorded season highs in both runs scored and hits (12) in falling just short of the upset.
Senior first baseman Joe Drpich and classmate Phil Madonna each recorded three hits apiece for Siena (0-14) which was outscored by a total of just five runs over the three-game series in putting forth a valiant effort against national power UCF (13-3). The Knights have now won 12 straight, including a two-game mid-week sweep of defending National Champion and unanimous No. 1 Florida earlier this week.
Tyler Osik homered and drove in six runs to lead the UCF attack. Logan Heiser joined Osik in tallying three hits for the Knights which totaled 15 overall, as eight of UCF's nine starters notched hits.
The Saints claimed an early 2-1 lead on RBI hits from junior designated hitter Brian Kelly in the first and third innings, respectively. Kelly joined Drpich in leading Siena with a pair of RBI apiece.
But UCF responded with seven runs over the third through fifth innings to retake the lead for good at 8-3. Osik led the charge, knocking in three of his six runs during the spurt which included a home run.
The Knights held a 10-4 lead heading into the eighth when the Saints mounted a final rally. Siena batted around, sending nine men to the plate during their most productive offensive inning of the season which yielded four runs. Junior Matt Hamel, classmate Marcos Campos, and Madonna all delivered RBI in the frame which saw the Saints put the first four men aboard safely. Siena further put the potential tying runs in scoring position with one out, but UCF reliever Bryce Tucker induced a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.
The Saints continue their season opening 22-game road trip Saturday with the start of a three-game series at Wofford. Doubleheader action commences at 2 p.m. in Spartanburg, South Carolina.