UCF flirted with a huge upset, but Florida catcher Mark Kolozsvary hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 4-3 win over the Knights Tuesday night in Gainesville.
The Gators, who improved to 7-1 and were ranked No. 3 in the preseason Baseball America top 25 poll, got a lift from center fielder Blake Reese. He had an RBI double in the third and helped score another run with a single in the fourth.
Kolozsvary then delivered his second homer of the season, a solo shot that turned out to be the game winner.
UF freshman Nate Brown recorded his first college career win and Nick Horvath earned his first save.
New UCF coach Greg Lovelady suffered the first loss of his tenure as the Knights fell to 7-1.
Designated hitter Ryan Crile paced the Knights with three hits and two RBI, while pinch-hitter Bryce Peterson added another RBI. Crile now has 12 RBI this season.
UCF fell behind 3-0 at the end of the fourth inning, but the Knights loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh innings and claimed one run apiece in each frame. UCF tacked on another run in the ninth, but the Knights couldn’t complete the rally.
“We obviously need to throw more strikes,” UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. “We were fortunate tonight, to be honest with you. I think they left 13 guys stranded. I think we had four leadoff walks to start innings, but the young guys made pitches when they needed to.”
Florida and UCF will complete their two-game series tonight, facing off at 6:30 at the UCF Baseball Complex.
Entering the series, Lovelady said it was good to play two games against UF early in the season.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us,” he said. “It will be a good chance for us to grade ourselves out against one of the best teams in the entire country. Just like every other game, we will see what we do well and what we need to work on.”
Matt Williams reflects on senior season with UCF basketball
Matt Williams reflects on senior season with UCF basketball
Matt Williams reflects on senior season with UCF basketball
Matt Williams reflects on senior season with UCF basketball
UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, guard B.J. Taylor and center Tacko Fall preview the Knights' matchup with Tulsa Tuesday.
UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, guard B.J. Taylor and center Tacko Fall preview the Knights' matchup with Tulsa Tuesday.
UCF's 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF's 2017 football schedule was released by the American Athletic Conference Thursday morning.
UCF head coach Scott Frost talks about how they've learned to save scholarship spots after National Signing Day to attract more and better recruits.
UCF head coach Scott Frost talks about how they've learned to save scholarship spots after National Signing Day to attract more and better recruits.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
For the second straight season under UCF coach Scott Frost, the Knights finished with a top-three signing class in the American Athletic Conference.
egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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