Knights top No. 11 Cougars

The UCF baseball team extended a strong run this season, notching a series win over No. 11 Houston.

The Knights (22-7, 2-1 AAC) earned a 6-1 victory over the Cougars (20-7, 1-2 AAC) at the UCF Baseball Complex Sunday. The win gave UCF a 2-1 series win, its first of American Athletic Conference play.

UCF took an early 1-0 lead in the third Sunday after shortstop Kam Gellinger led off with a single and later scored from third on a sacrifice fly. After the Cougars notched back-to-back singles and a fly ball out to advance the runners, a bunt scored the tying run in the fifth.

Freshman starter Joe Sheridan struck out the next two hitters to end the half inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, UCF third baseman Brooks Morgan started the inning with a single and moved to third when Gellinger followed with a base hit. First baseman Rylan Thomas delivered a blast to right field that bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double.

UCF was up 2-1 when right fielder Eli Putnam chopped a ball to third. The Houston infielder’s throw to the plate was high, allowing Gellinger to score. Thomas moved to third on the play and Putnam advanced to second.

With one out, left fielder Kyle Marsh delivered his 23rd RBI of the season, bringing Thomas home with a ground ball out to second base.

Reliever Thad Ward took the Knights through the sixth, before Jason Bahr pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth.

The Knights aim to build on their success, hosting Stetson Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.