ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The Greg Lovelady era started with a bang Friday, as senior lead off hitter Eli Putnam turned on the second pitch of the game and sent a blast over the left field fence. The Knights would go on to score 17 runs, tied for the most in school history for an opening day game .
The last time the Knights posted such a number, was in 17-1 win on Feb. 22, 2008 against Florida A&M. Senior Ryan Crile also homered in the first, as the Black and Gold posted a 10-run first inning total, stunning the Saints with eight hits on 13 at bats.
Starting pitcher Robby Howell did his part, facing just three hitters in the first inning before striking out the side in the top of the second.
"I was proud of him after that 10-run inning," Lovelady said of Howell. "You worry about a pitcher losing focus and losing concentration. He had to go out and throw twice in between innings to stay loose. Then he struck out the side, which was really impressive."
Howell threw five innings to earn the win, faced 21 hitters and gave up three runs on six hits striking out nine.
Senior Swagger
- UCF sent 13 batters to the plate in the first inning and notched two home runs including a solo shot from Putnam and a three-run blast from senior Ryan Crile
- Knights upperclassman tallied 11 total RBIs including four from Luke Hamblin, Three from Crile, two from Brennan Bozeman and one each from Kam Gellinger and Putnam.
- On the hill, seniors threw seven-total innings and combined 12 strikeouts
Game Two
- Game two of the three-game series has been moved to 3 p.m. Saturday due to expected inclement weather
- Senior Juan Pimentel will get the nod for UCF while Siena sends freshman Brendan white to the hill
- Fans can catch all the action via LIVE streaming on UCFKnights.TV or click here to follow along via live stats