UCF Knights clinch series; will look to sweep series Sunday

UCF Knights clinched a series win against the Harvard Crimsons with a 4-2 win Saturday at Jay Bergman Field.Even though UCF (15-5) had only two hits, they managed to beat Harvard and secure a series win for the fourth time this year. The pitching freshmen duo of Eric Skoglund and Garrett Nuss allowed only three hits and two runs during Game two of the series.

“Those two guys did a great job,” said head coach Terry Rooney. “It’s great to see those two young pitchers continuing to get better before everyone’s eyes.”

Skoglund pitched for five innings, struck out seven Crimsons and allowed only two hits.

“I tired to focus on being efficient out on the mound and tried to get one, two, three outs,” said Skoglund.

“I thought Eric was better than last week, and he worked very hard in these last couple days,” said Rooney. “He still needs to get the ball down in the zone. But he did a nice job and hung in there.”

Nuss pitched a solid last four innings, and allowed one hit and no runs. “Every time I get up on the mound I feel a little bit better everything is more sync,” said Nuss after the game. “I am definitely more comfortable in the mound.”

First baseman D.J. Hicks had one hit and two RBIs during Saturday’s game. While Ryan Breen, Darnell Sweeney, Tommy Williams and Ronnie Richardson each had a run. All runs were scored during the first three innings.

Senior Travis Shreve did not play Saturday, due to a hamstring injury he suffered during Friday’s game.

“He didn’t pull it. He got hit the other day. He is going to be day to day,” said Rooney. “Spencer is doing a nice job for him.”

Redshirt freshman Spencer Haynes stepped in as second baseman and batter. Haynes was drafted in the 43rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s out of high school. This was Haynes first career start.

Brian Adkins will be the starting pitcher for Game three against Harvard. Sunday’s game is set to start at 1 p.m.