Tulane holds off UCF to even series

ORLANDO – The Tulane University baseball team (27-16-1, 9-5) grabbed a vital 7-5 victory in the second game of its series with UCF (25-17, 9-5) Saturday night.

Three Tulane sluggers would have multi-hit outings with Bennett Lee, Brady Marget and Jackson Linn each cracking two.

Both teams were quiet through the first two frames of the game. UCF drew first blood scoring on a wild pitch platting an unearned run. Tulane responded in the top of the fourth inning when Jared Hart hit a grounded out to second, scoring Brennan Lambert.

UCF was quick to break the tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, bringing the score to 3-1.

Brian Valigosky came in to relieve starter Grant Siegel. The righty went 4.2 innings allowing four hits, two earned runs and one strike-out.

The Wave was able to pull within one in the top of the sixth frame. Hart was walked followed by both Brady Hebert and Ethan Groff getting hit by a pitch to load the bases. Groff was able to cross home on a passed ball and two would be left on base for Tulane at the end of the inning.

Lee would start the seventh frame with a single up the middle and get himself to second on a muffed throw. Marget would send a ball to center field and score Lee. UCF would respond with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame, keeping the lead at 4-3.

UCF would walk Hart and hit Hebert with a pitch before allowing Groff to reach first on a throwing error that would also score Hart. Luis Aviles would reach first on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases. Marget would get his second hit of the game and score both Aviles and Groff, giving Tulane the 6-4 lead.

Zach DeVito would come in for Tulane, allowing two hits in 1.2 innings of work.

Tulane would plate another run in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to 7-4. Lane Thomas would come in to finish off UCF, who would try and make a comeback in the bottom of the frame, but it wouldn’t be enough and the Wave would secure the win.

UP NEXT
The Wave returns to action on Sunday for the rubber match with UCF. First pitch is set for noon.