Rooney focuses on finishing strong

Big departures: OF Erik Barber, P Spencer Davis, SS Dylan Moore, P Zach Rodgers, OF Derrick Salberg, INF James Vasquez, OF Jo Marcus Woods

Key newcomers: SS Brennan Bozeman, 3B Matthew Mika, OF Luke Hamblin, OF Austin Griffin, P Juan Pimentel, P Campbell Scholl Homeopener: 6:30 p.m. Friday vs. Siena Outlook: The senior-laden Knights peaked with a school record No. 6 ranking in the country last year, but they tumbled in the latter half of the season as they struggled on the road with a 6-16 record.

Head coach Terry Rooney said he wants to get the program back to its core values this season as he leads a group that includes 15 newcomers.

Sophomore pitcher Cree Finfrock, who went 7-5 in 2015, will be looked upon to lead on the mound. He was named to the preseason American Athletic Conference team. Juniors Robby Howell and Nick McCoy, a 6-foot-6 right handed pitcher from Wabash Valley Junior College, will also look to strengthen the Knights’ pitching staff.

Junior Matt Diorio is expected to anchor UCF’s offense after making 47 starts at DH last season. He finished fifth on the team last year with a .308 batting average.

“We never got away from [core values]. If you look at it, wewere ranked in the top 30 in the country for five years in a row, so we’ve been consistent, but we need to finish,” Rooney said. “We need to finish games, we need to finish series andwe need to finish the season ona stronger note.”