A Late Surge at John Euliano Park
The Knights of UCF traveled to Orlando’s John Euliano Park on Tuesday night to meet Kansas State in a tightly contested baseball matchup that would swing in the seventh inning.
UCF erupted for five runs in that frame, highlighted by Stephen Chucka’s three‑run double that shifted momentum and put the home team ahead.
The early going saw AJ Evasco launch a 394‑foot solo homer in the third inning, while Bear Madliak added a two‑run blast in the eighth, but those sparks were not enough to offset the Knights’ late surge.
Kansas State head coach Pete Hughes acknowledged after the game that UCF’s big hits were the difference, noting the importance of timely extra‑base knocks.
Starter Tazwell Butler opened the game by retiring five straight batters after surrendering a one‑out double, and Cadyn Karl made a run‑saving diving catch in the first inning to preserve the early lead.
In the fourth inning, Carlos Vasquez and Grant Gallagher delivered key hits that kept the Wildcats within striking distance, but the Knights’ rally proved decisive.
The final tally left Kansas State at 27‑25 overall and 10‑18 in Big 12 play, while UCF improved to 30‑19 and 18‑10, underscoring the competitive nature of the conference schedule.