With the Knights ahead 3-2 in the eighth inning with two outs, UConn's Joe DeRoche-Duffin blasted a two-run homer to hand UCF a 4-3 loss on Friday afternoon at J.O. Christian Field.
Just prior to that home run, freshman right fielder Matthew Mika robbed the Huskies' Bobby Melley of a two-run homer by stretching over the fence in right to make a catch. Click here to see the fantastic catch.
Back-to-Back Jacks
• Senior designated hitter Sam Tolleson and junior right fielder Eli Putnam blasted solo homers in consecutive at bats during the second inning to give UCF the lead, 2-0.
• Tolleson drilled a pitch over the fence in left center for his fourth of the season.
• Putnam, a righty, showed his power by going to the opposite field. He added a double to pace the Knights with two hits.
• The last Knights to hit back-to-back homers were James Vasquez and Eric Barber last season vs. USF (5/1/15).
Howell's Performance
• Junior righty Robby Howell went seven innings and only allowed two earned runs on five hits.
• The Fort White, Fla., native went 5 1/3 frames without giving up a hit until the Huskies connected on a triple to center.
• He kept UCF on top 3-2 in the seventh by inducing an inning ending double play.
Noting the Huskies
• UConn was paced by Bryan Daniello, and John Toppa with two hits each.
• Joe DeRoche-Duffin hit the game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth with two outs.
• Starter Anthony Kay (6-2) earned the victory and struck out six, while the sixth save of the season was notched by Patrick Ruotolo.
Next Up
• The series continue at 1 p.m. Saturday, while the finale in Storrs, Conn., is on Sunday at noon.
• The Knights are back home to complete the regular season on Thursday, May 19 against East Carolina at 6:30 p.m.
Article provided and written by UCF Athletics.