Cougars Slowed By Knights Pitching; Arbolida Delivers Again

Houston’s offense was completely stymied by great UCF pitching in a 4-1 loss Friday night at Schroeder Park to open the Big 12 weekend series.

After being retired in order over the first three innings, the Cougars got their first base hit and base runners in the bottom of the fourth inning but could not turn them into runs.

Meanwhile, a run in the first inning off of Houston starter Cade Citelli was followed by a two-run third inning in which an error at shortstop was brought home on a two-out home run to center field.

Still trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Cary Arbolida hit the first pitch of the frame over the left field wall for his 13th home run of the season.

The Knights added a run in the top of the seventh inning while the Cougars could muster almost nothing after the Arbolida home run . . . Anthony Tulimero was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning but stranded at first base, and Kenneth Jimenez was walked in an eighth inning pinch-hit appearance, replaced with a pinch-runner, who was promptly doubled-off on a line-out to first base to end the inning.

Houston’s offense could only collect two base hits in the game.

The lack of offense resulted in a hard luck loss for Citelli whose quality start over six innings with six strikeouts was nearly unimaginable after a 32-pitch first inning . . . Citelli faced the minimum in two innings, the second and the fourth, and low pitch counts in both allowed him some longevity into the latter stages of the game . . . Two of the three runs against Citelli were unearned due to the error at shortstop.

The Cougars then turned to left-hander Kyle LaCalameto out of the bullpen, he was the second and final pitcher for Houston in the game . . . LaCalameto pitched the final three innings of the game and struck out three UCF batters . . . Citelli’s effort spared the Houston bullpen from being taxed early in the first game of the weekend conference series.

The Cougars and the Knights will continue the weekend series on Saturday night . . . Antoine Jean will be on the mound for Houston, starting a day earlier in the weekend after pitching on Sunday the last three weeks . . . The game will get underway at 6:30pm.

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