Milwaukee continued its shocking run in the NCAA Tournament on May 30.
One day after stunning Auburn, it did the same to UCF. The bats got started early and stayed hot in a 13-6 victory at Plainsman Park, pushing the fourth-seeded Panthers to the finals of the Auburn Regional.
The second-seeded Knights could still get there. Their path just got harder.
They’ll now have to topple the top-seeded Tigers, who most recently outslugged North Carolina State, at 3 p.m. on May 31.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal provided live updates throughout the game. Scroll down for a play-by-play recap.
Stream UCF vs. Milwaukee on ESPN+
UCF vs Milwaukee score updates
Milwaukee defeats UCF 13-6 to reach Auburn Regional final
Milwaukee has reached a regional final for the first time in school history, defeating UCF 13-6. The Panthers scored nine unanswered runs in the opening three innings, becoming the 12th No. 4 regional seed to start 2-0 in the NCAA Tournament.
Milwaukee tacks on 3 more, takes 13-6 lead into 9th
Milwaukee added some insurance in the eighth inning, including a two-run double from Bradyn Horn, to take a 13-6 lead into the ninth against UCF.
With three more outs, Milwaukee will advance to its first NCAA Baseball Tournament regional final in program history.
UCF can’t pull closer in 7th inning
The heart of UCF’s order could not cut further into a 10-6 deficit as the game enters the seventh-inning stretch. Andrew Williamson, Zak Skinner and Landon Moran flew out, and Evan Jones will work another inning out of the Knights’ bullpen.
Evan Jones tosses another scoreless inning
Evan Jones has settled in and given the Knights a chance at a comeback out of the bullpen. He has pitched 3⅓ innings, striking out four and allowing just one earned run.
UCF trails Milwaukee 10-6 after six, with Andrew Williamson, Zak Skinner and Javier Crespo due up.
UCF trails Milwaukee 10-6 heading into bottom of 6th
DeAmez Ross brought another UCF run home with an RBI groundout, and the Knights are within striking distance against Milwaukee, down 10-6 in the bottom of the sixth.
UCF has scored at least five runs in 19 separate innings this season, fifth-most among Big 12 teams.
UCF chipping away at Milwaukee lead
Landon Moran, Jordan Lodise and Austin Jacobs have strung together RBI hits, and UCF has pulled within 10-5 with one out in the sixth inning and two men still aboard.
Andrew Williamson clobbers another HR for UCF
Andrew Williamson demolished an Aric Ehmke fastball 443 feet for a solo home run to lead off the sixth inning. UCF’s junior outfielder has gone deep four times already in the Auburn Regional, but the Knights trail Milwaukee 10-2.
Milwaukee adds unconventional HR off UCF outfielder
Grant Ross gets credit for a solo home run after the ball deflected off the head of UCF center fielder DeAmez Ross near the warning track and over the wall. Milwaukee leads the Knights 10-1 after five innings.
UCF finally gets on the board in 5th inning
DeAmez Ross lined an RBI single into center field to get UCF on the board against Milwaukee, trimming the deficit to 9-1.
Aric Ehmke has lost command in the fifth inning, issuing three walks before the run-scoring hit by Ross.
Milwaukee leads UCF 9-0 through 3 innings
Evan Jones allowed two inherited runners to score — one via four-pitch walk, another on a wild pitch — and UCF is down 9-0 to Milwaukee through three innings.
The Knights have produced just one hit to this point, a single by second baseman Austin Jacobs.
UCF issues 3 straight bases-loaded walks
Max Murray walked consecutive Milwaukee batters with the bases loaded, and UCF suddenly trails 7-0 in the third inning. Murray, who appeared in last night’s win over NC State, issued three free passes and found the strike zone on just nine of his 22 pitches.
Evan Jones enters from the bullpen with two outs in the inning. He is the fourth Knights pitcher of the evening.
UCF turns to Max Murray as Milwaukee threatens again
Milwaukee is threatening to blow the game open in the third inning with two runners aboard and one out. UCF will put freshman Max Murray on the mound, hoping to keep the deficit 5-0 against the fourth-seeded Panthers.
John Hadley VI doubled over Andrew Williamson’s head in right field. Twelve of Milwaukee’s 22 hits to date in the Auburn Regional have gone for extra bases.
UCF gets 1st hit, but still held scoreless
Austin Jacobs fought off a two-seam fastball for UCF’s first hit, but the Knights still find themselves in a 5-0 hole against Milwaukee heading to the bottom of the third inning.
Aric Ehmke has struck out four of the 10 batters he has faced, catching DeAmez Ross looking to end the Knights’ half of the third.
Milwaukee extends lead against UCF in 2nd inning
Grant Ross and Dylan O’Connell doubled off UCF reliever Kevin Schoneboom, bringing home another three runs for Milwaukee and extending its lead to 5-0 after two innings.
The Panthers already have four extra-base hits against UCF pitching; the Knights are yet to produce a baserunner against Milwaukee starter Aric Ehmen.
UCF baseball makes early pitching change
UCF starting pitcher Mateo Gray’s night is over after surrendering a one-out double off the left field wall to Joey Spence. Kevin Schoneboom enters from the bullpen, looking to keep the Knights within two runs.
6 up, 6 down for UCF baseball
Aric Ehmke has retired UCF’s first six hitters with three strikeouts, staking Milwaukee to an early 2-0 lead.
Play resumes after umpire change
UCF and Milwaukee are back underway after a 20-minute delay. Zak Skinner struck out on a 3-2 pitch from Aric Ehmke.
Game in delay after home plate umpire struck by foul ball
Home plate umpire Blake Felix was struck in the mask by a foul ball on a 3-2 pitch to Zak Skinner. He was evaluated by training staff before entering the dugout, leading to a delay in the second inning with UCF down 2-0 to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee scores 2 in the 1st inning to take early lead
UCF will need to climb out of a first-inning hole for the second night in a row.
Milwaukee’s first four hitters reached base safely, and the Panthers took a 2-0 lead. It could have been far worse, but first baseman Landon Moran snagged John Hanley VI’s line drive and doubled off the runner at second base to end the inning.
Dylan O’Connell opened the scoring with a hard-hit double down the left field line, and Bradyn Horn plated another on a sacrifice fly to the warning track in left.
UCF’s top 3 hitters go down in order
Aric Ehmke worked a scoreless first inning, getting a called third strike against Andrew Williamson for his first punchout of the evening. Milwaukee will bat for the first time all square against UCF.
Milwaukee starting lineup vs UCF baseball
Horizon League champion Milwaukee, fresh off its second NCAA Tournament win in program history, turns to senior Aric Ehmke. He is 5-6 with a 4.63 ERA in 13 appearances, holding opponents to a .280 batting average.
Here is Milwaukee’s starting lineup:
UCF baseball starting lineup vs Milwaukee
Sophomore right-hander Mateo Gray will make his NCAA Tournament debut as UCF looks to secure a spot in the Auburn Regional final. In 16 appearances, including eight starts, Gray is 5-1 with a 4.87 ERA this spring, striking out 47 batters and walking 16.
Head coach Rich Wallace makes just one change to his lineup from last night, inserting Stephen Chucka as the designated hitter.
UCF vs Milwaukee time today
What channel is UCF vs Milwaukee game on today?
UCF vs. Milwaukee will stream on ESPN+. Mark Neely and Gregg Olson will call the game from Plainsman Park in Auburn.
UCF vs Milwaukee baseball history
NCAA Tournament predictions for UCF in Auburn Regional
How far will UCF go — Auburn Regional final. With its head coach, Elliott Avent, announcing plans to retire prior to the NCAA Tournament, and its somewhat controversial inclusion despite underwhelming credentials, N.C. State uses some of that us-against-the-world mentality to upset UCF in the opening game. However, the Knights will bounce back with a win over Milwaukee and then send the Wolfpack packing before falling to host Auburn. — Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal
How far will UCF go — Auburn Regional final. The Knights have shown an ability to compete on the national stage. They reached No. 12 in the polls during the middle of the season and won seven of their 10 series in the Big 12. But Auburn’s pitching staff ranks fourth in the country with a 3.45 ERA. In a Regional, where every game is crucial, those arms are scary. — Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Auburn Regional bracket, schedule
Double elimination from Friday-Monday (May 29-June 1) at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Alabama:
Friday’s games
Saturday’s games
Sunday’s games
Monday’s game
* If necessary
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: UCF vs Milwaukee final score, highlights from NCAA baseball game
Reporting by Chris Boyle, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
