Baseball falls in series finale

Sunday, April 28

Orlando, Fla.

12 p.m.

University of Memphis

21-20, 6-8

UCF

26-18, 7-11

Memphis

UCF

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Apr 28, 2019 | Baseball

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – An early lead wasn't enough on Sunday afternoon at John Euliano Field, as UCF erased a 4-0 Memphis lead and posted a walk-off 7-6 win.

The Tigers led 4-0 after the second inning and held a 6-3 lead going to the bottom of the seventh, but the Knights scored three in the seventh and one in the ninth to earn the league series win.

Offensively for the Tigers, Brooks enjoyed a multiple-hit game with a 3-for-5 day and drove in two runs. Colton Neel was 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in three runs. The senior also carried the bullpen in 2.2 innings pitched to keep the game tie but surrendered the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

Senior starter Alex Hicks turned in a gutsy performance, allowing only one earned run across six innings. The senior struck out five and reached a season-high 116 pitches.

For the third time in the series, Memphis took the early lead by scoring in the first inning. Brooks and Neel led off the frame with a pair of singles. Ouellette reached on an error, allowing Brooks to plate the game's first run.

The Tigers continued the momentum in the third inning. Brooks connected on his second hit of the day, a 2-RBI single down the right field line. Neel then followed with a sacrifice fly to push Memphis' lead to 4-0.

UCF responded with a run in each the third, fourth and fifth frames.

Memphis added a pair of runs in the seventh inning to build a 6-3 cushion. After Keith Stepter and Jason Santana reached on a pair of singles, Neel roped a two-out, 2-RBI double down the right field line.

A pair of walks, two singles and an error to lead off the seventh knotted the game at 6-6. Neel toed the rubber and took command to limit further damage with a fly out, line out back to the mound and then caught a runner attempting to steal home.

The Tigers return to FedExPark for a five-game home stand, beginning with a midweek matchup against Arkansas State on Tuesday. First pitch against the Red Wolves is set for 6 p.m.