ORLANDO, Fla. (Interstat) — UCF scored five runs in the seventh inning to break open a close game and defeated Kansas State 10-6 on Thursday night at Jay Bergman Field in a Big 12 Conference matchup.

The Knights improved to 30-19 overall while the Wildcats fell to 26-24. UCF outhit Kansas State 15-8.

Kansas State struck first in the third inning when AJ Evasco hit a solo home run to center field, his sixth of the season. UCF answered in the bottom half when shortstop Jordan Lodise homered to left field, his fourth, tying the game at 1.

The Wildcats regained the lead in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk by English, scoring Vasquez. Kansas State went up 2-1. After both teams were held scoreless in the fourth and fifth, the Knights pushed ahead in the bottom of the fifth. John Smith III grounded out to drive in Jacobs, and William Skinner singled to bring home Ross, giving UCF a 3-2 advantage.

Kansas State responded in the top of the sixth. Evasco doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Karl to tie the game. Karl then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on a single by English, putting the Wildcats back on top 4-3.

The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Stephen Chucka, pinch hitting, laced a three-run double to left field, clearing the bases and giving UCF a 7-4 lead. Chucka later scored on a sacrifice fly by Lodise to make it 8-4.

UCF added two more in the eighth when Andrew Williamson hit a two-run home run to right field, his 12th, scoring Smith III and extending the lead to 10-4.

Kansas State mounted a final threat in the ninth. Bear Madliak hit a two-run homer, his ninth, to cut the deficit to 10-6, but the Wildcats could not get any closer.

Kansas State starting pitcher Tazwell Butler worked five innings, allowing three earned runs on no hits with four strikeouts and three walks. He did not factor in the decision. Adam Arther pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing one earned run on no hits with two strikeouts. Mateo Gray started for UCF, going 3 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Kevin Schoneboom threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Offensively, Evasco finished 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Madliak was 1-for-4 with the two-run homer. For UCF, Lodise went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and a sacrifice fly. Smith III was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Williamson went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer. Chucka’s three-run double was the biggest hit of the night.

The game was the first of a three-game series between the two Big 12 foes. The teams are scheduled to meet again Friday and Saturday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of UCF 6, Kansas State 1 before the game. Interstat’s ELO system gave UCF a 58.00 percent probability to win.