Knights Rally in the 9th and Take 4-3 Win Over Houston

[SJA'90]

that's 2 out of 3 against a solid UH program...well done, gents!
This post was edited on 3/29 4:14 PM by SJA'90

 

[Stevieknight]

Saw some comments about UH coach(es) displaying some "classless" behavior. Anyone have any more details???

 

[FTUKNIGHT74]

They were really upset about a couple calls in the ninth inning. Then there was a skirmish between coaches after the game near the Houston dugout. I was focused on the walk-off player celebration in the outfield (hero James Vasquez appeared a little upset and was rubbing his shoulder) and didn't see how it started. A Knight on he CSN board said it started with jawing by their pitching coach but an ECU fan (watching on TV?) said it didn't happen that way.

 

[sportsknight13]

The issue started because of a combination of things:
1. They (UH) LOST!
2. Their coaches were still upset Barber got the hit by pitch call and awarded first base while attempting to bunt.
3. Their players were being heckled all series by some UCF alumni visiting from out of state who got into their heads.
4. After giving away the game, their players started jawing with the fans that were taunting them all series and their coaches were too.
5. Add the fact only ONE of their coaches was classy enough to shake our coaches' hands afterwards and the others directed the team to the dugout to NOT shake hands with our UCF players, which equates to one of our coaches commenting about it thus, pissing off their geezer who had to be held back like a school kid as if he was going to do anything. Classic sore loser syndrome.
6. All it did was get the entire UCF fan base on the visitors side to wave bye bye to them and tell them to have a safe flight home. They were a good team that ultimately showed they let external factors (fans) get under their skin instead of tuning it out and focusing on the game and doing their job on the field. The only people they should be mad at is themselves.

In a nutshell, they were passionate and disappointed because they lost a key conference series they desperately wanted and acted like a bunch of sore losers afterwards because like all their teams before them, they just got "Houstoned!" It was a great game and a great series. Quite honestly, Houston wouldn't have even been ahead throughout this game if it weren't for bad calls from the home-plate umpire who couldn't seem to call obvious strikes, which led to Cougar walks and then runs.

This post was edited on 3/29 10:49 PM by sportsknight13

This post was edited on 3/29 10:53 PM by sportsknight13

This post was edited on 3/29 10:55 PM by sportsknight13

 

[KnightMatt8]

Originally posted by FTUKNIGHT74:
They were really upset about a couple calls in the ninth inning. Then there was a skirmish between coaches after the game near the Houston dugout. I was focused on the walk-off player celebration in the outfield (hero James Vasquez appeared a little upset and was rubbing his shoulder) and didn't see how it started. A Knight on he CSN board said it started with jawing by their pitching coach but an ECU fan (watching on TV?) said it didn't happen that way.

I saw one of our assistant coaches yelling at one of the Houston assistants about something. Terry Rooney gave the opposing head coach a pat on the back after quickly saying something to him and then turned and walked away, so I guess the two of them didn't have any kind of argument. Players on both teams kept jawing at each other even as Houston was heading into their dugout and UCF was heading to the outfield. I saw one UCF player wave "bye" (in a taunting manner) to the Houston players. Many people on both teams did not conduct themselves well out there at the end of the game. Thankfully, there were no fisticuffs, but it could have gotten that ugly. I'm sorry that the game had to end like that even though I do understand the level of emotion by the two teams. This series was huge for everyone on that diamond. It just shouldn't have ended with such a lack of sportsmanship by the players, coaches, and fans.

 

[KnightMatt8]

Originally posted by sportsknight13:
5. Add the fact only ONE of their coaches was classy enough to shake our coaches' hands afterwards and the others directed the team to the dugout to NOT shake hands with our UCF players, which equates to one of our coaches commenting about it thus, pissing off their geezer who had to be held back like a school kid as if he was going to do anything. Classic sore loser syndrome.

Actually, I think it was better that they didn't try to have the players shake hands. Too many tempers flaring out there. I applaud the one Houston coach for trying to shake hands, but getting the two teams separated as quickly as possible was the best move.

 

[KnightMatt8]

Postgame arguing aside, that was a hell of a game. This was my first chance this season to see the baseball team in person, and boy, did they look good today. I think the one player I feel the most happy for is Zach Rodgers. He may have solidified a return to the starting lineup with his performance in relief today against a very good UH ball club.

 

[bioknight01]

KnightMatt is 100% correct. I was next to the UH dugout and I'm not sure who started it but the fans were really giving to UH (mostly not too bad as expected).

The coaches should know better on both sides. The UCF coach also got into it with the third base ump in the bottom of the first about something as well, he seems a bit of a hot head IMO.

The waving/finger pointing, yelling happens in a tight game between squads with lots riding on the outcome, but to see UH players flipping off the fans and players as the walk past all the little league kids trying to get on the field to run the bases was pretty bad. My 5 year old asked what does that mean. Uh, saying we are No. 1 of course.

Also as the UH team left the field across the right field fence to their bus the UCF fans (students I believe) were REALLY verbally abusing tem, F bombs, losers chants really low brow stuff and very cras. SO much so that we felt we had to tell the UH coaches and team great game (which it was) on the way out. The UH coach gave us a nod and a thumbs up.
This post was edited on 3/30 10:59 AM by bioknight01

 

[Central Floridave]

Marc Daniels talked about the skirmish this morning on the radio. He said it was kind of funny with the chest pounding and then seeing the kids run the bases.

 

[KnightMatt8]

Originally posted by bioknight01:

KnightMatt is 100% correct. I was next to the UH dugout and I'm not sure who started it but the fans were really giving to UH (mostly as expected).

The coaches should know better on both sides. The UCF coach also got into it with the third base ump in the bottom of the first about something as well, he seems a bit of a hot head IMO.

The waving/finger pointing, yelling happens in a tight game between squads with lots riding on the outcome, but to see UH players flipping off the fans and players as the walk past all the little league kids trying to get on the field to run the bases was pretty. My 5 year old asked what does that mean. Uh, saying we are No. 1 of course.

Also as the UH team left the field across the right field fence to their bus the UCF fans (students I believe) were REALLY verbally abusing tem, F bombs, losers chants really low brow stuff and very cras. SO much so that we felt we had to tell the UH coaches and team great game (which it was) on the way out. The UH coach gave us a nod and a thumbs up.

I have a small child, too, bioknight. He wasn't at the game with me, but I understand how you feel. I saw at least one UCF player give the finger toward UH right before another one did the sarcastic "goodbye" wave that I mentioned earlier. Taunting on our part is no more defensible than what the UH players did. Hopefully, there will be some apologies exchanged for what happened and everyone will move on.

 

[bioknight01]

Yeah I agree, bad showing for little league day, but a great game.

I think all players (both teams) who made the offensive jesters should be reprimanded, just as the football players are when they do it and get caught on TV, it's all the same rules and standards IMO.

I didn't see the UCF player because they were way out in center field, but the UH player held his hand high and proud with about 15, 10 year and younger kids within 20 feet.