Baseball Takes Game One of Series at UCF on Friday

HOUSTON – University of Houston freshman second baseman Thomas Lyssy broke a 7-7 tie with an RBI-single in the top of the tenth inning, and the Cougars added five more runs in the extra frame to take a 13-7 win over UCF in John Euliano Park on Friday night.

In a roller coaster of a game, the Cougars jumped out to a 7-0 lead through innings before the Knights stormed back to tie the contest in the bottom of the sixth.

UCF had chances to take the lead in the eighth and ninth innings, but reliever Brendan O'Donnell halted those rallies to set the stage for the Cougars' heroics in the final inning.

Lyssy went 3-for-5 with two runs and the game-winning RBI to lead a Houston offense, which pounded out 15 hits, including three home runs and a pair of doubles. Junior first baseman Justin Murray went 3-for-5 with a run.

O'Donnell collected the win and improved to 3-0 after throwing 1.1 innings of shutout relief with a strikeout.

With the win, Houston improved to 24-18 overall and 9-4 in American Athletic Conference play. The Cougars also moved to 4-0 in extra-inning games in 2023. UCF fell to 23-18 overall and 5-8 in American play.

UCF reliever Kyle Kramer picked up the loss to fall to 2-2 after giving up six runs off four hits in 1.1 innings.

Andrew Brait went 4-for-4 with two runs, a triple and a game-high four RBIs to lead UCF. Lex Boedicker went 3-for-5 with a run in the loss.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS
With his hit in the fourth inning, Zach Arnold extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Arnold reached base in his 37^th consecutive game, or every game in which he has played this season.

With his double in the second inning, McMillan reached base safely in his 16^th consecutive game, the fourth longest streak by the Cougars in 2023.

KEY INNINGS
1^st | After junior first baseman Anthony Lopez drew a two-out walk, junior catcher Anthony Tulimero blasted a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left center to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead. It was Tulimero's team-leading ninth home run of the season.

2^nd | Senior outfielder Brandon Uhse led off the second inning with a solo shot on a 2-1 count to center field. After a single by Lyssy and a double from senior shortstop Ian McMillan put runners on second and third, graduate center fielder Drew Bianco lifted a single into shallow right field to score Lyssy. McMillan scored on a UCF infield error, while Bianco and sophomore outfielder Malachi Lott teamed on a double steal, and both came around to score on Alex Lopez' two-run single through the right side to chase UCF starter Ruddy Gomez and take a 7-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, UCF struck for four runs, highlighted by Andrew Brait's two-out, bases-clearing triple, to move to within 7-4.

6^th | UCF's Ben McCabe tied the game at 7-7 with a two-out, two-run home run to right center.

8^th | UCF threatened with runners on second and third with two outs, but O'Donnell struck out McCabe to end the threat.

9^th | The Knights put runners on second and third with two outs again, but O'Donnell forced Boedicker to fly out to center field.

10^th | After the Cougars loaded the bases with no outs, Lyssy gave Houston the lead with an RBI-single through the right side of a drawn-in UCF infield.

Two batters later, Lott lifted a bloop single down the left-field line to score two. Arnold then cleared the bases with a monster homer to left field to tie Tulimero for the team lead with his ninth home run of the season.

UP NEXT
Due to the threat of weather, Saturday's first pitch for Game Two of the series was moved up from the originally published starting time, Fans should note Saturday's 11 a.m. (CDT) start.

Fans can watch Saturday's game on ESPN+ by clicking here. Fans can hear Saturday's game on The Varsity Network with Jeremy Branham calling by clicking here.

Fans can follow live statistics by clicking StatBroadcast.com and following the appropriate links or by clicking here.

TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Baseball flex plan packs and single-game tickets are on sale for the 2023 season. Fans can purchase tickets by calling 713-G0-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.

SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.

JOIN THE DUGOUT CLUB 
Fans are invited to join The Dugout Club to directly support Houston Baseball. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the Dugout Club, text UHBASEBALL to 71777, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
 
STAY CONNECTED 
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarbb.

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Justin Murray

Thomas Lyssy

Zach Arnold

Brandon Uhse

Players Mentioned

Zach Arnold

Drew Bianco

Alex Lopez

Malachi Lott

Thomas Lyssy

Ian McMillan

Justin Murray

Brendan O'Donnell

Anthony Tulimero

Brandon Uhse

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