After No. 7 UCF recorded the second out on a throw to the plate in the ninth inning of a 3-3 game, No. 2 East Carolina notched the walk-off win on a single up the middle by Charlie Yorgen. The Knights continue The American Championship on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Bright House Field.


The Pirates (37-21) started the ninth frame with a hit batter and sac bunt that moved the runner into scoring position. A double off the wall in right looked to have won the game, but strong throws from senior outfielder Erik Barber and senior first baseman James Vasquez enabled for senior catcher Jordan Savinon to apply the tag for the second out of the frame for UCF (31-26).
Senior right-handed pitcher Zach Rodgers (10-1) tossed the whole game, 8 2/3 innings, and fanned four, but received his first loss of the season. The Glendale, Ariz., native has tallied a 17-2 mark in two seasons with the Knights.


A 1-1 tie was broken up by senior second baseman Dylan Moore with a two-out, two-run single through the left side to put the Knights on top, 3-1, in the seventh inning. Back-to-back singles by Vasquez and sophomore left fielder Eugene Vazquez set up the scoring situation.
The Pirates responded with single runs in the seventh and eighth frame to knot the score, 3-3.


In the second inning, the Knights put together a pair of hits to take the lead. Marsh, who totaled three hits, recorded a two-out single before Vasquez drove him home with a run-scoring double to left center.
East Carolina responded in the bottom-half with a Tyler Watkins homer to left to knot the contest, 1-1. Rodgers eliminated a base runner with a pickoff at first base prior to the round tripper.
The victory was handed to Joe Ingle (1-0), who fanned one in a perfect ninth inning after a lead off single that was charged to starter Reid Love. Hunter Allen paced the Pirates with three hits, while Morgan and Yorgen each added a pair of base knocks.


The Knights move to the loser's bracket and will face either No. 3 Tulane or No. 6 UConn at 11 a.m. Thursday.

Article written and provided by UCFAthletics.com.