May 22, 2002

Final Stats

DeLand, Fla. - UCF scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh on three hits and one Samford error and Zach Sutton picked up his eighth save of the season as the Golden Knights rallied to defeat Samford, 7-5 in the first game of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament. Samford fell to 27-30 on the season while UCF improved to 37-20.

Lincoln Mincks (7-5) picked up the win allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits. Derek Tharpe (4-7) took the loss after giving up four earned runs on six hits while striking out five. Eli Iorg and Joe Denson each went 2-for-4.

Trailing 4-1, UCF scored the six runs in the bottom of the seventh. With no outs and the bases loaded, Mike Myers singled to bring the Knights within 4-3. The Golden Knights added three more runs on two RBI singles and a passed ball.

Samford took a 1-0 lead when Cory Sumner scored on Major Allred's single down the right field line in the top of the first. UCF answered in the bottom of the first. After David Mann and Mike Myers singled, Dee Brown drove in Mann with a single to left center tying the game, 1-1.

The Bulldogs regained the lead 3-1 in the top of the fourth. Heath Owen reached on an error and advanced to third on Sae Evan's double to the right field corner. Michael Collins singled through the right side to score both Owen and Evans.

Samford extended its lead to 4-1 in the top of the seventh. Iorg and Joe Denson each singled and Sumner walked to load the bases. Robert Evans' sacrifice fly to center field scored Iorg.

Robert Evans, Sae Evans and Collins each added one hit. Myers and Mann each had two hits while Myers also added two RBI.

The Bulldogs will now face the loser of the game between FAU and Jacksonville at 11 a.m. (EST) Thursday morning in an elimination game.