SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Zak Skinner went 4 for 5 with a home run and four runs batted in and John Smith hit two home runs as UCF defeated Utah 12-4 on Saturday afternoon in the first game of a Big 12 doubleheader.

The Knights improved to 25-15 overall with their second straight win over the Utes, who fell to 21-18. UCF also won Friday’s series opener 12-2. The Knights collected 13 hits while Utah managed eight.

UCF struck first in the top of the first. Andrew Williamson walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Skinner’s single up the middle. Utah answered immediately in the bottom half. Carter Jacobs walked, and Daniel Arambula homered to left center, driving in both runs for a 2-1 Utes lead. In the second, Matt Flaharty hit a solo homer to right field, extending Utah’s advantage to 3-1.

UCF starter Kyle Sauser exited after one inning, and Kaniel Rosado entered with no outs in the second. Rosado worked four scoreless innings, striking out six while yielding no hits and one earned run. Utah starter Payton Riske was effective early, allowing two hits and one earned run over five innings with three strikeouts.

The Utes added a run in the sixth. Miller walked, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Flaharty’s double to right center, making it 4-2.

UCF seized control in the seventh. Smith led off with a solo homer to left center, cutting the deficit to 4-3. After Skinner singled, Anthony Lariz replaced Rosado and retired the side. In the top of the seventh, Smith struck again, hitting a two-run homer to center field that scored Jacobs and put UCF ahead 5-4. Skinner followed with an inside-the-park homer down the right field line, making it 6-4.

The Knights broke the game open with a seven-run eighth. Frankie Moran doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Andrew Ross’s double. Jack Lodise doubled to score Ross, and Williamson doubled to drive in Lodise. After an intentional walk to Smith, Skinner singled through the left side, driving in two more runs. Crespo singled home Smith, and Rogers added a run-scoring fielder’s choice. By the time the inning ended, UCF led 12-4.

Kris Sosnowski closed for UCF, pitching three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. He allowed no hits. Anthony Lariz worked one inning and Easton Jones pitched 1 2/3 scoreless for Utah.

Flaharty finished 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for Utah. Arambula was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a 5-3 Utah victory, while its ELO system gave UCF a 60.80 percent probability to win.