DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – UCF scored four unanswered runs, including a solo homer in the top of the 11th inning Tuesday night, allowing the visiting Knights a 5-4 decision over Bethune-Cookman in non-conference baseball action at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
 
Backup catcher Logan Heiser's two-run solo home run in the top of the 11th turned out to be the deciding shot in a thrilling 11-inning affair in the first of two meetings on the year for both teams. The return game will be played in Orlando on April 18.
 
Bethune-Cookman (14-7) scored early in the game, using an Austin Garcia RBI single to third in order to drive across Jameel Edney for the 1-0 advantage.
 
UCF (18-4) tied the game in the top of the third inning.
 
Centerfielder Josh Moser singled to start the inning, eventually stealing second before moving to third on a swinging bunt single by Eli Putnam. The run would cross for a 1-1 tie as BCU turned the double play and allowed the runner to trot home easily.
 
The Wildcats would score three in the bottom of the third to grab a 4-1 lead.
 
Sophomore first baseman Danny Rodriguez began a one-out rally with a double down the line in left, followed by Garcia's second RBI single of the night to score Rodriguez on the play. Two batters later, redshirt junior shortstop Demetrius Sims singled to put runners on the corners. Both runners would score in the next at-bat as Kyle Corbin reached on a throwing error charged to UCF third baseman Ryan Crile.
 
Junior pitcher Alexis Herrera tallied his first quality start of the season on the bump for the Wildcats, exiting with a man on in the top of the eighth. In a no-decision effort, the Miami native went seven complete frames, allowing two runs (one earned) in scattering three hits, walking three and striking out six.
 
A missed tag at second base with one out and an error moments later would come back to haunt the Wildcats in the eighth, as three runners crossed in the half-inning for the Knights to knot the score at 4-all.
 
The UCF bullpen would keep the BCU bats at bay for much of the latter half of the game, as the Maroon and Gold mustered up just four hits after the fourth inning. The Knights bullpen combined for 14 strikeouts down the stretch.
 
The win went to UCF closer Bryce Tucker (1-0), giving him his first win of the year in three innings on the mound, walking one and striking out six with no hits allowed. The loss went to BCU freshman Isaak Gutierrez (1-1) out of the bullpen, working 1.2 innings and allowing just one run – the homer from Heiser, on two hits and fanning one batter.
 
Thaddeus Ward collected the save for the Knights in working around a single and a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th.
 
Bethune-Cookman returns to action Wednesday night concluding a 16-game homestand when Dartmouth visits Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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