Central Florida, a new addition to the Big 12, has already shown its baseball prowess with non-conference wins against Miami and Florida this season, and conference series wins against Oklahoma State and Kansas. .
The Knights have made the Texas Tech baseball team their next victim.
Dom Stagliano and Big 12 saves leader Chase Sentara had five hits, and the Knights defeated the Red Raiders 2-1 on Friday to clinch the series victory. UCF (18-6, 6-5) earned a 5-4 win in Thursday's opener and will be headed for a sweep at noon CDT Saturday.
Second baseman TJ Pompey had three hits for Tech (18-9, 4-7). The Red Raiders never had more than one runner on in an inning until the seventh inning when Owen Washburn, chasing Stagliano, doubled and Pompey singled home.
Stagliano (1-1) allowed three hits in 6 1/3 innings. Sentara got the final eight outs for his sixth save.
The key points are:
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Texas Tech wastes power pitching
Kyle Robinson (3-3) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Trendan Parrish also gave his team a chance, retiring all but one batter in two innings.
It was Robinson's third straight quality start. Two weeks ago, he pitched seven scoreless innings against Baylor in a 2-0 win, and last week against Brigham Young, he allowed one unearned run in six innings.
Is it too late for the Texas Tech baseball team?
March may seem early to be discussing a team's postseason potential, but Texas Tech has lost three series in the first four weeks of Big 12 play. The Red Raiders entered Friday ranked 77th in RPI, an important metric considering the NCAA Tournament.
UCF entered Friday ranked fifth in RPI. Earlier this week, Tech coach Tim Tadlock called the Knights' high praise “a good opportunity for us.” So far, the Red Raiders have failed to capitalize on that opportunity.
Texas Tech defense prevents big inning
Third baseman Cade McGee and right fielder Owen Washburn each put runners on base in the sixth inning, holding UCF to one run.
The Knights had runners on the corners with no outs, and Danny Neri hit a scoring single over right field. But McGee's relay throw cut down Andrew Sandeen. Neri hit a double on this play, but Washburn then hit a right flyer to Neri at third base.
