CHARLESTON, W.Va. (MU SID) - Marshall University designated hitter Victor Gomez blasted his sixth home run and four Thundering Herd players had three hits to help lead Marshall to a 12-9 victory and series sweep of UCF in Sunday morning's Conference USA baseball game at Appalachian Power Park.

With the win Marshall wins its fifth consecutive game to improve to 19-19-1 overall, 7-7-1 in C-USA action. UCF falls to 26-16 on the season and 4-11 in league play.

Trailing 10-8 heading to the top of the eighth inning, UCF pulled to within one when first baseman Kiko Vazquez singled to center field, plating second baseman Dwayne Bailey who drew a lead off walk, to make the score 10-9.

Marshall responded in the bottom half when sophomore first baseman Josh Valle singled through the left side followed by a one-out walk by catcher Tommy Johnson. Right fielder Kurt Lipton laced a double to right center field to extend the Herd's lead to 12-10.

Southpaw Ryan Kiel recorded the first two outs of the inning before Arik Sikula came in and forced a fly out to end the game and seal his sixth save of the year.

Herd right-hander Andrew Hancock (3-1) who entered in the seventh, picked up the win. He allowed two runs on three hits in two innings of work and fanned two batters.
The Knights' Brian Griggs (2-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in a third of an inning.

UCF drew first blood with three runs in the top of the second. Catcher Robert Lara led off with a double to left field before designated hitter Chris Duffy launched a home run to right field. Center fielder Tyson Auer was then knocked in on an RBI single off the bat of third baseman Josh Siebenaler.

Marshall answered in the bottom of the stanza when Lipton singled and then came full circle on an RBI double by Gomez, who advanced to third on the throw home. Left fielder Jeff Rowley doubled to right center pushing across the second run of the inning. After second baseman Kenny Socorro reached on a fielder's choice, shortstop Adam Yeager singled to extend the two-out rally. Socorro scored on a double by third baseman Brandon Casamassima who hit a rope down the left field line before Yeager and Casamassima came around on a two-run base hit by Valle to give Marshall a 5-3 advantage.

The Knights regained the lead with a three-run third, highlighted by a pair of RBI singles and an RBI fielder's choice to take a 6-5 lead, before Marshall received its second RBI double from Casamassima to tie the game at 6-6.

Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth, Marshall claimed the lead with a pair of RBI singles from Valle and center fielder Nate Lape, scoring Rowley and Yeager (who each reached with base hits) respectively to give the Herd an 8-7 lead.

Duffy led off the seventh with a game-tying blast to right field, his second of the game, before Hancock, who had entered for Ian Kadish, struck out a pair of batters and threw to first on a bunt attempt to retire the next three batters in order.

The Herd seventh saw Gomez send a pitch sailing over the left field wall for his sixth long-ball of the season and give the Herd a 9-8 lead. After singles from Rowley and Socorro placed runners on the corners, Matt Helm entered to pinch-run for Rowley and then scored on a balk by Griggs to give Marshall its 10th run of the game.
Yeager, Casamassima, Valle and Rowley finished with three hits apiece while Valle knocked in three runs on the day to propel the Herd offensive.

A pair of home runs from Duffy and a pair of doubles and four hits from left fielder Colin Arnold highlighted the losing effort for UCF.

Marshall returns to midweek non-conference action Tuesday, April 22, when it squares off against Kent State. First-pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. at Kent, Ohio. The Herd returns home Wednesday for a game against Ohio. Game-time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Center.