UCF’s final tuneup before conference play begins this weekend could have seen the team continue its momentum from a weekend sweep. Instead it seems to have halted momentum and left the team facing much bigger questions.
Star hitter Austin Griffin left the game with an apparent leg injury. While Griffin had to leave Tuesday’s game, a source tells Orlando Sports Daily’s Tim Briggs the team is hopeful he will be ready to play this weekend at Memphis for the team’s American Athletic Conference opener.
Austin Griffin limping now at 1B after an attempt at a ball in the hole. #UCF really doesn't need another injury, especially to Griffin.
— Tim Briggs (@ByTimBriggs) March 29, 2016
Wow, Griffin will leave the game. Nightmare situation for #UCF with conference play beginning this weekend.
— Tim Briggs (@ByTimBriggs) March 29, 2016
Griffin was holding his right hamstring as he left the field.
— Tim Briggs (@ByTimBriggs) March 29, 2016
A source said that they're hopeful that he'll be back on Friday against Memphis, but waiting to hear an official word.
— Tim Briggs (@ByTimBriggs) March 30, 2016
The Knights would need his bat to come from behind against the Jacksonville Dolphins as the Dolphins won 8-3 at Sessions Stadium on Tuesday.
Griffin went 1 for 2 with a strikeout before leaving the game. The Knights tallied nine hits, including three from shortstop Kam Gellinger. The Knights though left nine runners on base including leaving the bases loaded on two occasions as they tried to come back.
Jacksonville jumped on UCF in the bottom of the third, responding to a 2-0 deficit with five runs in the inning. The Dolphins got singles to position themselves for runs. The third inning was also when Griffin left the game. That proved too much to overcome as Jacksonville took control.
UCF went down 8-2 before getting a run in the eighth before heading back south to Orlando.
Trent Thompson gave up five runs in the start in 2 2/3 innings of work.
UCF will open up conference play at Memphis this weekend. Whether or not Griffin will be a part of the lineup as Cre Finfrock or Robbie Howell takes the mound Friday is to be determined.
UCF’s clash with Florida State rescheduled
UCF softball’s clash with No. 8 Florida State was canceled Tuesday due to rain in the Orlando area. The Knights will head up to Tallahassee to make up the game on April 26.
The Knights will travel to Storrs, Conn., this weekend to take on the UConn Huskies to open American Athletic Conference play.
