The Knights run-rule the Saints in all three games

UCF baseball knocked the start of the 2026 season out of the park after a 3-0 series win against the Siena University Saints from Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 at John Euliano Park.

Siena (0-3, 0-0 MAAC) was no match for the two-way force of UCF (3-0, 0-0 Big 12), as they only scored one run throughout the series.

Friday: Opening Knight

With no action in the first inning, UCF returned to the field swinging by putting the first runs on the board at the bottom of the second.

With two outs, senior outfielder DeAmez Ross reached on a fielding error by Siena freshman infielder Steven Ramirez, allowing redshirt senior infielder Braden Calise and redshirt senior outfielder JD Rogers to score unearned.

But redshirt freshman infielder Austin Jacobs was tagged out at home plate by Siena redshirt sophomore catcher Aidan Paradine to close the second inning.

The Knights’ momentum carried for the rest of the matchup, scoring at least a run in the remaining innings and exploding with five runs back-to-back in the fourth and fifth.

First basemen/outfielder senior Landon Moran hit the first grand slam of the season, which kept UCF well ahead at 8-0 in the fourth inning.

“We left some meat on the bone there early on the bases. But Landon Moran took the big swing for us with the bases loaded to break this one open and we continued to attack from there,” UCF baseball head coach Rich Wallace said in the postgame conference.”

Siena’s defense faltered in the final stretch, as Siena senior outfielder/pitcher Owen Pincince allowed multiple runners to advance and two UCF batters to score on a balk.

Calise reached on a fielding error by Siena redshirt freshman infielder Cannon Vandever, which allowed Moran to score unearned.

Vandever grounded out to second base to Jacobs, who threw to Moran at first base, and the Knights solidified their run-rule victory 16-0.

UCF surpassed Siena on both sides of the field, overall hitting .333 compared to the Saints’ .200 and a 67.8 strike percentage to Siena’s 48.9.

Ross was vital to the Knights’ success with three hits on five at-bats and a homer in the bottom of the sixth, along with junior pitcher Braden Smith, who mustered five strikeouts after pitching six innings.

“Braden Smith went out, did what he’s done in practice and attacked the zone,” Wallace said. “He kept his defenders in play and rhythm, went out and walked just one guy over six innings on opening night. It was impressive.

Saturday: Love at First Pitch

Siena senior infielder Nick Bergamotto scored the first run of the series for the Saints after two of his teammates were caught out at the top of the first.

UCF responded immediately, starting with two runs from an RBI double to right field from redshirt senior catcher Zak Skinner, followed by an RBI single from Moran that allowed junior outfielder Andrew Williamson to score.

Rogers hit a single through the left side of the infield, allowing Skinner and Moran to sail to home. A throwing error by Ramirez allowed Jacobs to advance, while Rogers managed to score from second base unearned.

Jacobs’ scoring from second base closed the Knights’ run streak at the bottom of the first, courtesy of an RBI single from freshman infielder Jordan Lodise.

UCF rounded out the first inning with seven runs, seven hits, one error and two left on base—its strongest performance in one inning of the series.

Siena struggled to recover after the Knights’ explosive start as they could not put another run on the board, while UCF kept its offensive presence at a staggering pace.

Lodise slammed his first collegiate home run, an impressive 408-footer that traveled at 105 miles-per-hour with a 25 degree launch angle.

Siena freshman infielder/pitcher Cole Hambly grounded into a double play from second to first base at the top of the seventh secured another UCF run-rule win of the series at 13-1.

UCF improved both offensively and defensively, ending by hitting .500 overall and a strike percentage of 69.5.

Sunday: Space Game

The Knights had another astronomical start after finishing the first inning with seven runs once again.

Ross scored the opening run after Williamson hit a sacrifice fly to the third base side of foul territory. Lodise followed with a run of his own after Skinner doubled to right center.

Shortly after two additional scored runs, UCF benefited from a wild pitch from Siena redshirt junior pitcher Sam Falace that allowed two UCF batters to advance to second and third base, while Calise scurried home.

Jacobs scored from second base after an RBI double from Ross wrapped UCF’s bottom of the first run-streak.

The tempo of the matchup remained steady with UCF scoring at least one run up until the fourth inning. Siena junior pitcher Evan Saulys, walking Rogers, permitted Moran to score unearned and kick-started another UCF run string.

An RBI double to left field from Jacobs allowed Calise and redshirt senior catcher/first basemen Mason Wilson to soar straight to home.

Saulys walked another UCF batter, followed by a sacrifice fly from Williamson, which allowed Jacobs to score unearned, ending with five runs for UCF at the bottom of the fourth.

After Siena freshman pitcher/outfielder Brad Curtis’ hit out to shallow center field was caught by Rogers, UCF claimed the matchup 15-0 and officially won the series.

Wallace commended the Knights after their weekend performance and aims to carry this momentum as UCF heads further into a tough conference schedule.

“Outside of one inning from [junior pitcher Camden] Wicker, the strike throwing and the attacking of hitters looked good. Defensively, we also had a solid performance battling some tough winds out there,” Wallace said in the postgame conference. “Some of these things throughout the weekend will travel with us and help us moving forward.”

UCF hits the road to play its first away game, facing the No. 21 Miami Hurricanes (3-0, 0-0 ACC) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.