Baseball Drops Game Two of Series at UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally from an early deficit and take an 8-7 win over the University of Houston Baseball program at John Euliano Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning and held a 7-5 advantage after six innings before the Knights made their comeback.

With the loss, Houston fell to 24-19 overall and 9-5 in American Athletic Conference play. UCF moved to 24-18 overall and 6-8 in American play.

Junior third baseman Zach Arnold 3-for-4 with a run, home run and RBI to lead a Houston offense, which blasted five home runs and outhit UCF 11-8. Junior Alex Lopez went 2-for-2 with a run, home run and RBI while graduate center fielder Drew Bianco went 2-for-4 with a run, home run and two RBIs.

Houston reliever Malachi Lott picked up the loss and fell to 0-4 after giving up one run off a hit and two walks in 0.1 innings. UCF reliever Chase Centala improved to 2-1 after limiting the Cougars to one run off one hit with six strikeouts and a pair of walks in 3.2 innings.

Lex Boedicker went 2-for-4 with a home runs, two runs and two RBIs to lead UCF. Nick Romano batted 1-for-2 with two runs and a double.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS
The Cougars enjoyed back-to-back home runs in a game for the first time since Steven Rivas and Uhse combined against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Feb. 23, 2021).

With his home run in the first inning, junior third baseman Zach Arnold extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Arnold reached base safely in his 39^th consecutive game, or every game in which he has played this season.

With his single in the fourth inning, McMillan reached base safely in his 17^th consecutive game, tying Alex Lopez for the third longest streak by the Cougars in 2023.

KEY INNINGS
1^st | Senior outfielder Brandon Uhse started the Houston scoring, smashing the second pitch he saw from starter Jacob Marlowe over the left-field wall. Working the count to a 2-2 count, Arnold then launched a 2-2 offering to left field. Sophomore outfielder Cameron Nickens laced a single to center field, and one batter later, junior first baseman blasted a two-run homer to right field for the Cougars' third homer of the inning and a 4-0 lead.

2^nd | UCF's Andrew Brait cut the deficit in half with a two-run, two-out double to right center.

3^rd | UCF's Todd Josten moved the Knights to within 4-3 with a one-out solo home run to center field. Two batters, later, UCF tied the game at 4-4 when a Houston infield error allowed Drew Faurot to score from second.

4^th | Following a one-out single from Ian McMillan, Bianco gave the Cougars a 6-4 lead with a monster two-run homer to center field.

In the bottom of the frame, Andrew Sundean's RBI-single down the left-field line score Brait to move UCF to within 6-5.

5^th | Lopez pushed the Cougars' lead back to two runs with a two-out, pinch-hit solo home run to right center field for 7-5 advantage.

7^th | After a walk to Nick Romano, Boedicker's two-run homer to right field tied the game at 7-7. John Rhys Plumlee followed with a walk and moved into scoring position with a stolen base before scoring on Matt Cedarburg's RBI-single through the right side for the Knight's first lead of the series.

UP NEXT
The rubber match for series begins at 11:30 a.m. (CDT), Sunday, at John Euliano Park.

Fans can watch Sunday's game on ESPN+ by clicking here. Fans can hear Sunday'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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Zach Arnold

Alex Lopez

Drew Bianco

Brandon Uhse

Players Mentioned

Zach Arnold

Drew Bianco

Alex Lopez

Malachi Lott

Ian McMillan

Cameron Nickens

Brandon Uhse

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