Box score

MOBILE, Ala. – Central Florida scored seven unanswered runs in the final four innings to knock off University of South Alabama baseball 9-4 Friday night in the Jaguars’ opening game of the 26th Annual South Alabama Classic at Stanky Field.

South Alabama (4-1) jumped out to a 4-2 lead after five innings before the Knights added a two-run sixth inning, a three-run seventh and runs in the eighth and ninth innings to seal the game.

UCF right-hander Nick Cicio (1-0) earned the win in three shutout innings of relief, and allowed just two hits while striking out five. Central Florida relievers D.J. Hicks, Cicio, and Joe Rogers combined to allow just six hits and no runs in the final 4 2/3 innings.

Jaguar left-hander Josh Wirnsberger (0-1) suffered the loss in 2/3 innings in relief, allowing three runs on two hits with two walks and one strikeout.

UCF center fielder Ronnie Richardson went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead the Knights at the plate. Four Knights, including Richardson recorded multiple hits in the game. Darnell Sweeney added two hits, an RBI and a run, Jonathan Griffin collected two hits, one RBI and scored two runs, while Derek Luciano went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored.

Brent Tanner and Jordan Patterson led the Jaguars at the plate with three hits apiece, and Nolan Earley added two hits, one RBI and one run scored. Friday marked Patterson’s first multiple-hit game at South Alabama, while Tanner recorded his second multi-hit game of the season.

UCF broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Griffin that plated Richardson.

But USA answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Logan Kirkland to score Tanner, and an RBI double by Hook which scored Earley from second base.

Central Florida then tied the game 2-2 in the top of the fifth inning when Richardson singled through the right side of the infield to score Luciano from second.

The Jaguars again answered with a two-spot in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead on an RBI single by Earley that scored Overstreet to push the USA lead to one, followed by a UCF wild pitch that allowed Tanner to score from third base.

But the Knights struck for two runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game 4-4 on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Breen and RBI single by Chris Taladay.

UCF pushed its lead to 7-4 in the top of the seventh inning with three runs, aided by a two-run double by Hicks.

The Knights pushed a run across in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by Sweeney, and scored the game’s final run in the top of the ninth on Richardson’s RBI single.

South Alabama will return to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it takes on Alabama (4-1) at 1 p.m. at Stanky Field in game three of the 26th Annual South Alabama Classic.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-USA-

NOTES:  Friday’s loss snapped the Jaguars four-game win streak … Central Florida improved its all-time record to 6-3 against South Alabama … USA fell to 2-2 all-time against the Knights at Stanky Field … The Jaguars fell to 38-25 all-time in the South Alabama Classic … Patterson recorded his first multiple-hit game as a Jaguar with his three hits … Tanner collected his second multiple-hit game of the season … Kirkland extended his hitting streak to five games, and has hit safely in every game as a Jaguar.