Final word: How disappointing was UCF’s defeat in the Coral Gables Regional?

But if winning games was as easy as just writing it, everyone would be a winner.

Sadly, the Knights lost two in a row in the double-elimination regionals. This sent the Knights, along with the fans who traveled to Miami.

It was a bit disappointing to see a team that has talent but was unable to consistently execute it at the right time.

The pitching staff had solid performances during Friday’s and Saturday’s games but struggled in the games on Sunday and Monday.

In the last two games, UCF’s bats excelled, but unfortunately the pitching staff didn’t meet the hitters’ production.

Surely the Knights didn’t expect the season to end this way. But on the bright side, this season will not be forgotten.

Some may argue that UCF’s 2012 baseball club is one of the best in school history. The Knights ended the 2012 season with a 45-17 record. They were ranked in the top 25 in all national polls all season long; they were even ranked as high as No. 7 at one point in the season.

As disappointing as the season ended, there is always next year.

With a seasoned roster, the Knights have the offseason to improve on their weaknesses and learn from their mistakes.

Omaha is not going anywhere.

Knights choked away perfect opportunity

--Andy Zunz, Baseball Beat Writer

Well, they blew it.

If you had told me two weeks ago that UCF would not have to play FSU, Florida or Miami in regional play, I wouldn’t have believed you.

If you had said that Stony Brook would be the one team standing between the Knights and a Super Regional berth, I would’ve slapped you straight in the face.

But, now, after all of that played out — in real life, I think — and UCF blew a chance to make school history, I have to believe it.

You see, it was too good to be true.

It was too perfect that Miami was granted the right to host a regional, and it was too perfect that UCF was named the second seed in Coral Gables.

It was too perfect that Miami lost in embarrassing fashion and the Knights won in Knight-fashion in the first two games.

It was too perfect that Stony Brook, the four seed, advanced to the championship game and LSU, head coach Terry Rooney’s former team, was on deck for the Knights.

I think it was all too perfect.

Because that’s the only explanation I have for why the Knights’ season is over and the Seawolves are still up and at ’em.

I understand that Stony Brook is a legitimate team. I understand the Seawolves have an incredibly potent lineup and that their pitchers nearly threw their arms off.

But, at the end of the day, UCF choked.

The situation unfolded too perfectly.

UCF will have the chance to make school history many more times in years to come, but I hope the team doesn’t expect a road this easy again.

Because this chance that presented itself was too perfect, and that’s the only way I can explain it.