Southern Illinois University
Central Florida
Knights use Late Game Rally to Pull Away from Salukis
02/10/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
February 10, 2001
Orlando, Fla. - The University of Central Florida (4-1) scored six runs in their final three at bats to pull away from a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning to defeat Southern Illinois University (0-2) by a score of the Salukis 10-4.
"I was glad that we battled back from an four run deficit to tie the game at four all in the fourth and fifth innings, but we struggled on the mound after the sixth inning and the game got away from us," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
The Salukis tied the game at four all after two runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Ryan Murray's hot shot to third was mishandled by UCF, allowing Nick Baughman and Sal Frisella to score SIU's first two runs in the fourth. In the fifth, Jeff Stanek hit his first home run of the year, and Scott Hankey drove in Sal Frisella with a single to tie the game.
Central Florida countered with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, and sealed the win with four runs in the eighth to provide the final 10-4 margin.
Billy Hardin (0-1) pitched six innings and received the loss. He struck out six, walked three, threw two wild pitches, and allowed five earned runs in his first outing of the year. The Saluki bullpen, which had a strong outing yesterday, allowed five runs and five hits in the game.
"Billy Hardin kept us in the game. He gave us good innings after the second inning, but our relief wasn1t good this afternoon and that really hurt us," added Calahan.
Jeff Stanek led SIU with a 3-for-5 performance, which included a solo home run, two singles, an RBI, and a run scored. Sal Frisella was 1-for-3 with two runs scored. The Salukis committed their first two errors of the season in the contest.
UCF reliever Paul Lubrano earned the win with three innings of two hit, two strikeout relief after SIU had tied the game at four all in the fifth.
The final game of the three-game series is scheduled for Sunday, February 11, at 1 p.m. The Salukis are expected to start sophomore Jason Westemeir (0-0), and UCF will throw Brad Busbin (1-0, 1.50 era).
