ORLANDO, Fla. — Max McDowell and Bryan Daniello each knocked in three runs for UConn to lead the Huskies to a 15-1 win over the No. 12 UCF Knights on Saturday afternoon in front of 1,061 at Jay Bergman Field.

UConn jumped on Knights starting pitcher Robby Howell early in the first inning by scoring four runs in the opening frame. The loss drops the Knights to just 2-3 in their last five games and 4-6 in the last 10 games.

“UConn beat us in every phase of the game today,” UCF head coach Terry Rooney said. “We are extremely disappointed in the way in which we played in every single aspect. Credit UConn, they did a really nice job.”

The Huskies (22-12, 5-3 American) continued to put on an offensive clinic by adding a run in the second inning and two runs in the third, fourth, sixth, seventh inning and ninth innings.

Howell (4-4) lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits while hitting one batter and striking out two.

Huskies starting pitcher Anthony Kay (5-3) turned in a dominant performance by allowing just five hits in a complete game. Kay walked none and struck out nine to pick up the win.

“He did a great job,” Rooney said of Kay’s performance. “He’s a great pitcher. They got two very good starters and give them a lot of credit. He throws a lot of his pitches for strikes and has some velocity and he did a terrific job.”

The Knights picked up their lone run of the game in the seventh inning after a throwing error by shortstop Aaron Hill allowed Logan Hesier to score from third base.

Saturday’s game marks just the second time this season that the Knights were held to one run. Heading into the series against UConn, the Knights’ offense ranked inside the top 10 in the nation in home runs, runs, hits, scoring and batting average.

The loss marks the first time the Knights suffered a home weekend series loss. Prior to this series, the Knights had won six-straight home weekend series matchups.

The Knights (24-12, 3-5 American) will look to avoid the sweep on Sunday against the Huskies with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. Jordan Tabakman is scheduled to start for the Huskies while the Knights will counter with Zach Rodgers.