Walks doom UCF as Knights exit Big 12 baseball tournament

UCF allowed four walks and five runs in the top of the eighth inning, which enabled Oklahoma State to secure a 12-6 win over the Knights in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Baseball Tournament on Thursday at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz.

It was a disappointing performance for the Knights, who entered the single-elimination tournament as the fourth seed with a conference record of 19-11.

Five UCF pitchers combined to walk eight and hit four batters in the game.

Injuries to Braden Smith, Joey Trombley and Michael Gillen have left the Knights a bit short-handed on the pitching mound.

“If you look at the unit as a whole, what they’ve done to get us to this point and how they’ve done it, it’s been outstanding,” said UCF coach Rich Wallace. “I feel like we’re getting healthier. I couldn’t be prouder of that group. I know they didn’t pitch like it today to their capabilities, but as a whole throughout the whole year, we wouldn’t even be close to this without them.”

Oklahoma State (37-19) advances to the semifinals to face the winner of the matchup between No. 1 Kansas and No. 8 Baylor, which takes place Thursday evening. First pitch is Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

While UCF (31-21) is projected to earn a spot in next week's NCAA Baseball Tournament, the loss most likely hurt the team's seeding heading into a regional. The NCAA tournament field will be announced Monday at noon.

UCF found itself trailing 1-0 in the top of the first inning after an RBI single by Oklahoma State catcher Campbell Smithwick. The Knights loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning before a fielder's choice by third baseman Javier Crespo scored designated hitter Cayden Gaskin to tie the game at 1-1.

The Cowboys scored two runs in the fourth inning to retake the lead, courtesy of RBI singles by second baseman Garrett Shull and shortstop Brock Thompson. OSU added two more runs in the fifth after a throwing error by Crespo scored designated hitter Aidan Meola on a bunt by third baseman Avery Ortiz. First baseman Colin Brueggemann's sacrifice fly scored Smithwick to make it 5-1.

The Knights rallied to tie the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to an RBI double by catcher Zak Skinner followed by a three-run home run by Crespo. It was the fifth homer of the season for the redshirt senior.

Camden Wicker started the game for the Knights. He gave up four earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out five batters. He was replaced by reliever Max Murray, who allowed a run on three hits in 2.2 innings.

Murray was replaced by Kaniel Rosado (0-3) in the sixth inning. Rosado lasted until walking a pair of batters in the eighth and was replaced by Kevin Schoneboom, who entered to a bases-loaded situation.

Schoneboom walked Meola for the go-ahead run, 6-5. After UCF brought in Evan Jones, Smithwick's sacrifice fly scored the second run of the inning, making it 7-5. The Cowboys made it 10-5 on a three-run single by Brueggemann.

UCF pinch-hitter Stephen Chucka slapped an RBI single to right centerfield to cut the lead to 10-6 in the bottom of the eighth.

Oklahoma State added two runs in the top of the ninth inning to extend its lead to 12-6.

“You know how good Oklahoma State is and if you’re going to beat them for the fourth time in a calendar year, you had better play clean,” Wallace said. “We didn’t play clean enough, but that’s one game that’s a blip.”

UCF loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with none out against OSU reliever Noah Wech before Crespo popped out and Landon Moran grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

Oklahoma State’s Mario Pesca (6-4) allowed one run on three hits in three innings while walking one and striking out four batters.

UCF was 4-for-19 (.211) with runners on base and 3-for-16 (.188) with runners in scoring position.

Despite the loss, Wallace was upbeat about his team’s improvement, particularly in the Big 12.

“I did ask this team to make a stand in this league and to go from nine wins last year to 19, and probably could have had more. I couldn’t be prouder of this group,” said Wallace.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 4:11 PM.