UCF baseball update: Golden Knights Garner Stunning Sweep of Green Wave

UCF had won a single CUSA game prior to its series with Tulane

CUSA Fans UCF sports correspondent Ryan Westin provides us with an update on the 2007 UCF baseball team.

The UCF Golden Knights were able to do something they had not previously done in their time in CUSA, they were able to sweep a series. The Knights were able to defeat Tulane in their three game series at home in some relatively close games outscoring the Green Wave by a margin of 19 to 13. The sweep moves the Knights record to 22-23 on the season and 4-11 in conference play. UCF now has three more conference series to play as they look to move up in the standings and clinch their first berth in the conference tournament, which will be played on May 23-27 in Greenville, North Carolina.

Friday night's game was one that will go down in the history books for the Golden Knights as Matt Horwath was able to hit for the cycle. Horwath became the first player in UCF history to hit for the cycle during the Knights 7-6 win over Tulane.

Horwath's evening did not get off to a good start as he was hit by a pitch. He knocked in the go ahead run in the bottom of the eighth after he doubled to left field. The go ahead double not only put the Knights on top, but it also gave Horwath UCF's first cycle ever.

Horwath was able to steal the show from his teammate Chris Duffy, who had two home runs in the game. Duff's second home run, a two-run shot, tied the game in the seventh. Duffy ended the day going 2 of 4, scoring 2 runs and knocking in three runs.

Justin Weiss picked up the win after holding Tulane's comeback attempts at bay. Weiss put in 1.2 innings from the mound, holding the Green Wave scoreless while improving his record this season to a perfect 4-0.

On Saturday, the Knights came from behind to take home a 4-3 victory after a strong outing by Kyle Sweat. The Knights trailed early in the contest after Nate Simon scored in the 4th inning to give the Green Wave a 3-0 advantage. UCF was able to get on the board in the sixth after Tyson Auer was caught stealing, but it allowed Matt Horwath to score from third.

The Knights would mount a rally in the eighth inning. The three-run rally that was capped off with a double by Kiko Vazquez down the left field line gave UCF a 4-3 lead. The Knights would hold off Tulane's comeback attempt in the ninth. After recording two quick outs, the Green Wave got a man on via a two-out walk. However, Aja Barto would pop out to the left field and Tulane's comeback fell short and UCF notched the 4-3 victory.

On Sunday, UCF rode the strong performance of LSU transfer Eric English and collected an 8-4 win in the series finale’. English went seven innings, giving up five hits and just two runs while improving his record to 2-2 this season. The Knights were able to run out to an early lead in the first inning. Matt Horwath tripled to start off UCF’s half of the first and scored when number two batter Dwayne Bailey grounded out, giving the Knights an early 1-0 advantage.

UCF would lead the rest of the way, taking a commanding 8-1 lead after a five-run seventh inning. Tyson Auer and Eric Kallstrom were able to knock in two runs a piece during the inning. Auer finished the afternoon 2-of-5 from the plate, knocking in two runs while scoring two runs himself. He also added a stolen base, boosting his total to 20 on the season. Tulane mounted a three- run eighth inning, but the damage was done as the Knights went on to defeat the Green Wave 8-4.

UCF will now face No. 24 Stetson at home on Wednesday before traveling to Memphis to take on the Tigers. UCF will play seven of their remaining 11 games on the road as they look to improve their conference record to earn a spot in the conference tournament.