BOX SCORE

Orlando, FL - Wagner dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to UCF in the series finale at Jay Berman Field. Jonathan Griffin hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning as the Knights improve to 13-3 while the Seahawks fall to 1-10.

The senior pitching combination of Dale Hering (Montgomery, NJ / Belle Mead) and David Rees (Staten Island, NY / Xavier) combined to limit the UCF offense, which entered the game with a .338 average to a season-low three hits, while yielding a season-low two runs.

Wagner took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning for the second-straight game. Freshman Ian Miller (Downington, PA / Bishop Shanahan) led off the contest with this infield hit. After moving to second on a ground out, the rookie stole his team-best fifth base of the year without a throw while moving 90 feet from home. Senior Kevin McDonnell (Bristol, CT / Avon Old Farms) then collected the two-out RBI, smoking this 3-2 offering to right field while chasing home Miller.

Hering retired the Knights in order in the bottom of the first, punctuated by this strikeout, his second of the frame.

After the Seahawks failed to add to the lead in the top of the second inning, UCF assumed the lead in the bottom of the frame on Griffin's two-run home run.

UCF again threatened in the bottom of the third inning, putting runners at the corner with just one out. However, senior first baseman Seth Boyd (Perth Amboy, NJ / Perth Amboy) corralled Darnell Sweeney's grounder before nailing Travis Shreve at the plate with sophomore Gaby Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico / Perkiomen (PA)) applying the tag. Freshman Ian Vazquez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico / Perkiomen (PA)) ended the threat with a leaping snare of a Beau Taylor line drive, saving two runs.

From that point on Hering was nearly perfect, scattering just one walk in his final three innings, including retiring the last seven batters he faced. Rees entered in the seventh inning and after recording a 1-2-3 frame, allowed a one-out walk to Travis Shreve in the bottom of the eighth inning. On the ensuing play, Ramirez gunned out Shreve at second base with this throw before Rees fanned Ronnie Richardson with this nasty slider.

All told, Hering and Rees combined to face the minimum over the final four frames and faced just one over the minimum in the last 5.2 innings while holding the Knights hitless during that time.

Unfortunately, UCF starter Ray Hanson was solid on the mound over the last seven innings, facing the minimum 21 batters. Wagner managed four base-runners, including three hits, but had all four erased on base paths.

Hanson retired the last seven batters he faced in order while moving to 1-0 on the year. He struck out four while yielding one run on six hits in a complete-game effort. Hering (0-2) was the tough-luck loser, striking out two while yielding two runs on just three hits over 6.0 solid innings. Rees was also outstanding, firing 2.0 hitless frames with one strikeout.

The Seahawks, who outhit the Knights 6-3, were led on offense by Ramirez (2-3) and Miller (2-4; SB; run).

Wagner hosts Saint Peter's at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 16 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.