UCF tops Florida baseball, falls to UF softball

By Adam Silverstein
April 21, 2011

The Florida Gators baseball and softball squads split a pair of Wednesday evening match-ups against the Central Florida Knights, with the former falling 8-6 in Orlando, FL as the latter won 8-1 at home in Gainesville, FL.

Central Florida (24-14) jumped on No. 5/5 Florida (28-10) early and often, scoring eight unanswered runs over seven innings. Junior starting right-handed pitcher Tommy Toledo (2-3) was saddled with the loss after giving up an earned run in the second inning, but three of his seven relief pitchers allowed the Knights to score the majority of their runs. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Panteliodis (2.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K), freshman LHP Daniel Gibson (0.2 IP, 2 ER, K) and junior RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 K) all struggled with UCF’s batters as their own offense stalled.

Looking to make a last-ditch effort, the Gators scored six runs in the top of the eighth inning but were unable to fight back all the way. Junior left fielder Tyler Thompson (1-4, 2 RBI, R) hit a two-RBI homer to left field after sophomore third baseman Austin Maddox (1-4, R) singled to get on base. With the bases loaded and one out, junior first baseman Preston Tucker (1-4, GS, 4 RBI, R) stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam to right. Sophomore catcher Mike Zunino (2-4) got on base with a double, but the following two batters – sophomore designated hitter Brian Johnson (0-4) and Maddox – struck out swinging to end the rally and end the come-from-behind bid.

No. 8/9 Florida softball (38-7) fared better against their in-state rival, defeating UCF (18-25) 8-1 in another masterful performance. Freshman RHP Hannah Rogers (23-5) picked up yet another win though she split duties with returning senior ace RHP Stephanie Brombacher, who pitched 2.1 innings and struck out three batters in relief.

The Gators piled on the runs early, scoring two in the first inning and six more through the fourth. Senior LF Kelsey Bruder (2-3, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB) continued her hot streak, as did sophomore right fielder/catcher Brittany Schutte (1-2, HR, 4 RBI, R). Freshman 3B Kasey Fagan (1-2, HR, RBI, R, BB) joined the party with a solo shot of her own.

Baseball and softball will also face a common opponent, each beginning their own three-game series with Alabama on Friday evening.

5 Comments

  1. Michelle says:

    Adam – any idea why A Pants is pitching so bad this year? I think we have lost every game he has pitched in, with maybe the exception of one. He even appears to not be in as good of shape this year and not as focused compared to last. Wondering if he is partying too much? Or just having a bad year in pitching?

  2. cline says:

    Pitching should be fine for us. My concern is the silence of our bats as of late. I know we came back to score some runs last night, but overall my impression is that our hitting is down from last season. Gotta get those bats going.

    GO GATORS

    • jay d says:

      Although our hitting has been quiet….its not just our bats….our pitching staff has been over hyped since the end of last season and our pitchers havnt fully found a groove….hopefully. o-sulli can get it together with pitching rotation and our bating order…identify our stars and keep them on the field in big games..

  3. wingtee says:

    I think we go the the bullpen way to quick. Starters need to fight out of jams rather than get bailed out…. Kind of like the
    federal government does when things get tough.

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