Columbia Baseball Falls to UCF, 8-5, to Wrap up Road Swing

Tuesday, March 17

Orlando, Fla.

6:00 P.M.

Columbia

2-11

UCF

13-6

Columbia

UCF

Columbia Baseball Falls to UCF, 8-5, to Wrap up Road Swing

3/17/2026 10:44:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score at UCF Photo Gallery

Brewer’s grand slam cut the deficit to two, but the Lions came up short, 8-5

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sophomore Jackson Brewer delivered a grand slam in the fourth inning to keep Columbia within striking distance, but UCF topped the Lions, 8-5, on Tuesday. Columbia (2-11) concluded its 13-game road slate to begin the 2026 season, and is set to host its home and conference opener this weekend.

Brewer paced Columbia's offense with three hits, four RBI and two runs scored.

As has been the case much of the season, the Lions struck first. Singles by Brewer and Cole Fellows, sandwiched between a hit batter, loaded the bases for Lucas Jackson, who walked to give Columbia a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first.

UCF (12-6) responded in the bottom half of the frame, as John Smith III and Zak Skinner each drove in a run to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. UCF extended its advantage in the second inning, with Jordan Lodise driving in a run before Smith launched a three-run homer to push the lead to 6-1.

The Lions chipped away in the fourth, filling the base paths again, thanks to a pair of walks and an error, to set the table for Brewer. The sophomore proceeded to launch a 0-2 pitch over the wall in right for his second homer of the season to trim the deficit to 7-5.

However, the Knights added an insurance run in the fifth and held Columbia scoreless over the final five innings to secure the victory.

Columbia's bullpen settled in after the early innings as the quartet of Evan Kleinhans, Brendan Murphy, Ray Huke, and Payton Soske totaled two runs and kept the Knights scoreless for the final three frames. First-year Jack Korthas started the game, falling to 0-2 on the season.

UCF's Kevin Schoneboom (1-0) earned the victory in relief, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings, while Michael Gillen closed the door with 1.1 hitless innings and two strikeouts to record the save.

UP NEXT
Columbia is set to host its home and Ivy League opener when Harvard comes to Robertson Field at Satow Stadium for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia baseball, follow @CULionsBaseball on X and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.