Orlando Magic Daily
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2017 Central Florida 85 Nos. 69-85: Happy Homecomings

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 27: Arron Afflalo of the Orlando Magic addresses the media on July 27, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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83. Chris Williams, UCF Baseball
84. Joe Sheridan, UCF Baseball

Orlando is not a hub for baseball, for some reason. Florida seems like a perfect place for a baseball team to settle but Orlando has struggled to get it to work. The Florida Fire Frogs moved in Kissimmee, far away from the city center, and have done OK in their first year.

But Orlando itself does not have a baseball team. There is no stadium now that Tinker Field has been torn down and no future for baseball.

That leaves UCF as the baseball team for Central Florida. Their struggles in recent years even to make the NCAA Baseball Tournament has made things difficult for the sport to establish itself.

That made last year’s somewhat surprising 40-22 record and trip to the tournament all the more welcoming. And Greg Lovelady’s second year now comes with the weight of expectations.

College baseball can be a bit tricky with shifting lineups and a heavy reliance on pitching. And that makes the role for junior Chris Williams and sophomore Joe Sheridan important for the team this year.

This pitching duo will not be the Friday or Saturday starter for weekend series, most likely although one could slide into that second starter spot. But they will have to provide important innings for the team to match last year’s performance as a team.

Williams posted a 2.65 ERA in 78.0 innings last year, going 5-4 in 23 appearances including 12 starts. Sheridan posted a 3.25 ERA in 72.0 innings. He went 10-4 in 17 appearances, including 12 starts. With starting pitcher Robby Howell graduating, there is an opening in the rotation.

One of these two pitchers is likely to fill it. And the Knights will need them to hit and score important victories over the weekend to secure another high seed in the American Conference Tournament and a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.