UCF found themselves on the wrong side of a one run game as Memphis beat the Knights 6-5. The Knights had an early lead, but gave it up in the eighth inning during Saturday’s game at Jay Bergman Field.

“At the end of the day Memphis played better baseball than us,” said head coach Terry Rooney. “They threw more strikes and they defended better and they won.”

Starting pitcher Chris Matulis (ERA 2.92) went deep in the game and pitched for 6.2 innings. During those innings, he struck out four Tigers allowed six hits, three runs and four walks.

“Chris Matulis did a great job,” said Rooney. “ I thought he really battled. I thought his command was pretty good.”

Garrett Nuss (ERA 2.91) relieved Matulis in the seventh inning. He pitched for .1 innings and allowed two hits one run and walked one Tiger. Roman Madrid (ERA .84) took over for Nuss and had a tough time facing the Tigers. After Madrid allowed a run in the inning he pitched Joe Rogers (ERA 1.78) took over.

Third baseman Chris Taladay hit his third homerun of the season in the second inning. In the same inning, freshman JoMarcos Woods (1-for-4) brought in two runs with a single up the middle, giving him 14 RBI on the season.

Eight out of nine Knights had at least one hit during Saturday’s game, and Ryan Breen had two hits and one run.

The early lead was lost during the last three innings of the game.

The Knights will face the Tigers tomorrow to determine the series winner at 1 p.m.

Brian Adkins will be the starting pitcher for tomorrow’s game. Since Madrid and Rogers pitched in both Friday and Saturday’s games, neither are expected to be available in relief.