Williamson's 3-homer game propels UCF in Auburn Regional

UCF outfielder Andrew Williamson crushed three home runs and the Knights rallied from an early 3-0 hole to cruise past N.C. State, 9-3, in the second game of the Auburn Regional of the NCAA Tournament at Plainsman Park on Saturday.

The game was suspended in the top of the eighth inning late Friday night with the Knights leading N.C. State, 9-3 with a runner on and two outs after lightning was spotted in the area. After about an hour-long delay, the game was pushed to Saturday morning.

"I’m proud of the guys' effort with all of the outside stuff that happened with the weather and the starting and stopping,” said UCF coach Rich Wallace. ” … to compete against a team that is very talented and as well-coached as you're going to face in N.C. State - to come out on top in the end, I couldn't be prouder of our guys.”

Williamson went 3-for-4 with six RBI on the night, marking his 17th multi-hit game of the season and the second time he has recorded five or more RBI in a game in 2026.

"Maybe Cooperstown, I'm not really sure, but definitely not in the big fields," Williamson said of hitting three home runs in a game. “Three of the at-bats, there were guys on (base), so I was trying to do a job. It was nice to have the home runs, but anything to move them over or score them would be nice. I was thankful I was able to scratch some runs over for our team."

UCF (32-21) will face Milwaukee (26-31) in the winner's bracket of the double-elimination tournament on Saturday at 8 p.m. The Panthers scored 13 runs on 16 hits to upset host Auburn, 13-8, in the first game on Friday. N.C. State (32-23) will face the Tigers (38-20) in an elimination game at 3 p.m.

The game began Friday after a two-hour rain delay. UCF pitcher Camden Wicker struggled at the start, allowing a single by N.C. State second baseman Luke Nixon and a double to first baseman Chris McHugh with one out in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Mikey Ryan followed with an infield RBI single to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead.

After a flyout, Wicker walked third baseman Sherman Johnson to load the bases, setting up designated hitter Dalton Bargo, who drove a 3-2 pitch into short right field to score McHugh and Riley to push the lead to 3-0.

Williamson's two-run home run in the bottom of the first off N.C. State starter Anderson Nance cut into the Wolfpack’s lead. It was the right fielder’s 13th homer of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Knights tied the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a solo homer by shortstop Jordan Lodise, who drove an 0-1 pitch over the center field wall. It was the fifth home run of the season for the true freshman.

UCF took its first lead of the game in the third inning when catcher Zak Skinner hit a single that brought home left fielder John Smith III, who had opened the inning with a triple. First baseman Landon Moran followed up by driving in another run, increasing the Knights’ lead to 5-3.

Wicker pitched into the fourth inning before being replaced by reliever Kaniel Rosado with two runners on and two out. The junior allowed three runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings with five walks and a strikeout on 93 pitches.

Williamson went deep again off Nance, this time in the fifth inning, when he drove a pitch over the right field wall for a three-run homer. The 445-foot shot pushed the UCF lead to 8-3.

Rosado (1-3) was replaced by reliever Max Murray in the top of the seventh after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings.

Williamson would add to his big game with his third home run in the top of the seventh inning. The solo blast pushed the lead to 9-3. It was the seventh time that a Knights' batter had three home runs in a game and the first since Danny Neri did it against Cincinnati in the Big 12 Tournament on May 21, 2024.

Freshman righthander Anthony Lariz took the mound when the game resumed after a 13-hour, 17-minute delay, getting the final four outs.

AUBURN REGIONAL SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

Game 1: Milwaukee 13, Auburn 8

Game 2: UCF 9, N.C. State 3; suspended because of weather, concluded Saturday

SATURDAY

Game 3: Auburn vs. N.C. State, 3 p.m.; loser eliminated

Game 4: Milwaukee vs. UCF, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m.

Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m.

MONDAY

Game 7: If necessary

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 30, 2026 at 12:37 AM.