Anthony DeSclafani wasn’t used to this. Not this season, at least.
Florida’s normally reliable right-hander was one out away from improving to 4 for 4 in save opportunities before allowing a two-run double to UCF shortstop Darnell Sweeney, and the Knights downed the No. 4 Gators 4-3 in McKethan Stadium on Tuesday night.
Clinging to a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth, DeSclafani (4-1, 1.99 ERA) was called from the bullpen after lefty reliever Nick Maronde allowed a leadoff walk to UCF’s Beau Taylor.
DeSclafani quickly struck out the first batter he faced before Ryan Breen’s fly ball dropped in center field, putting runners on first and second with only one out for the Knights (20-9).
Florida’s junior pitcher rebounded with another strikeout, putting the Gators (24-6) one out away from a fourth straight home win.
Then, DeSclafani ran into Sweeney.
The UCF shortstop crushed a double over center fielder Tyler Thompson’s head, and with it, he dashed Florida’s hopes of a midweek win.
“I’m not going to sit here and talk about Disco,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “That guy has been nails for us all year long. He’s made pitches all year long, and that happens. This is the game of baseball.
“If we get into the same situation Friday night, he’s getting the ball.”
DeSclafani’s blown save came just an inning after junior Jeff Moyer appeared to come through with a game-deciding knock of his own.
With the game deadlocked at 2-2 and pinch runner Paul Wilson standing at second, O’Sullivan called on the Santa Fe College transfer to pinch hit for third baseman Zack Powers.
Moyer came through with his fifth pinch hit of the season by lining a single up the middle and scoring Wilson from second, putting Florida ahead 3-2.
“O’Sullivan called my name again, and I was just looking for that clutch hit,” Moyer said. “I’ve been trying to stay positive with not swinging the bat good lately, but coach trusted in me to get the job done.”
But Moyer’s effort was for naught, as the Gators’ normally stout bullpen gave up the two runs, and the lead, in the ninth.
“If you score three runs, it’s going to be a dogfight to the end,” O’Sullivan said. “[UCF] seemed to get a big hit when they needed it.”
Prior to Moyer’s pinch-hit RBI, the Knights kept the Gators’ batters off-balance for seven innings with an array of pitchers.
UCF emptied its bullpen, as seven pitchers combined to hold UF to seven hits on the night and just one run after the first inning.
Aside from starter Chase Bradford, UCF’s pitchers were nearly lights-out. Bradford struggled with his control and gave up a two-RBI single to Austin Maddox, who pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
But that was all the Gators would be able to put together before Moyer’s late-inning knock.
“I’m not going to make any excuses for our hitters,” Maddox said. “We’ve got to do a better job at the plate.”
