March 30, 2002

Box Score

Orlando, Fla. - - Joe Denson's single to left field drove in Sae Evans and Cory Sumner followed with an RBI single of his own as Samford avoided the series sweep by shutting out UCF 2-0 in nine innings at Jay Bergman field in the second game of a doubleheader. UCF won game one, 12-9 to take the series two games to three.

In game two, Sae Evans led off the ninth inning with a single. After Kip Snowden reached on an error. Denson drove a 0-2 pitch to left field. Sumner knocked in Snowden with an RBI-single through the right side giving Samford the 2-0 lead.

Samford then got UCF to hit into a double play to end the game.

Robert Evans picked up his second win in relief of Alan Bryan, who pitched 6.2 shutout innings, striking out three. Robert Evans and Michael Collins each finished with two hits.

In game one, Samford overcame a 10-0 deficit to come within the three runs. After UCF scored five runs in the first inning off starter Derek Tharpe, the Golden Knights added one run in the second and four runs in the third.

The Bulldogs rallied in the fourth with five runs of their own. Eli Iorg's two-RBI single to right field scored Allred and Heath Owen cutting the lead to 10-2. Samford made it 10-3 when Mario White scored on Sumner's fielder's choice. Robert Evans then singled up the middle, scoring Sumner and Iorg as Samford trailed 10-5.

UCF added two runs in the bottom of the fourth, extending its lead to 12-5. But Samford answered with four runs in the top of the fifth to pull within 12-9. Snowden's sacrifice fly scored Heath Owen. Denson's single to left center then scored Mario White. Samford added its final two runs on an RBI single by Allred and another sacrifice fly by Robert Evans.

Sumner, Josh Rhodes, Allred and Eli Iorg each had two hits for the Bulldogs. Derek Tharpe took the loss after giving up five runs on four hits in one inning of work.

Samford returns home to host UAB and Alabama A&M Tuesday and Wednesday next week.