CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — In a wild, extra-inning affair that saw a seven-run lead evaporate, the Miami Hurricanes completed a stunning comeback to defeat the UCF Knights 8-7 in 13 innings on Tuesday night at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly the bottom of the ninth inning, where Miami, trailing 7-0, mounted a historic rally to force extra innings, setting the stage for their eventual walk-off victory.

For eight innings, UCF dominated. The Knights built a commanding lead behind a balanced offensive attack and strong early pitching. Andrew Williamson’s two-run homer to deep right field in the third inning opened the scoring. UCF added two more in the fourth on an RBI double by Jordan Lodise and a run-scoring single from Williamson, and another in the fifth on an RBI single by DeAmez Ross. The Knights executed three sacrifice hits and capitalized on Miami miscues, amassing 12 hits in the game.

Miami’s offense, meanwhile, was silenced, managing just three hits through eight frames against UCF starter Dom Stagliano and reliever Chase Gray. The Hurricanes finally broke through in the eighth when Daniel Ogden launched a two-run homer to left, but they still trailed 7-2 entering the bottom of the ninth.

Facing UCF reliever Tyler Dorsey, the Hurricanes’ rally began with patience and persistence. Dorsey hit three batters and walked another, forcing in a run. With two outs and the bases loaded, Miami’s Jason Torres delivered a clutch two-run single to shallow left, cutting the deficit to 7-5. After a pitching change, Ogden flew out to deep left-center, leaving the potential tying runs on base.

UCF responded in the top of the 10th. JD Rogers led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ross, extending the lead to 8-5. Miami answered immediately in the bottom half, as Blake Cuvet crushed a solo home run to deep center, making it 8-6.

The game remained tense until the 13th. UCF’s Williamson doubled and scored on a single by pinch-hitter Javier Crespo to push the advantage to 9-6. In the bottom of the inning, Miami’s Lucas Alvarez doubled off new UCF pitcher Ben Heyl. After a strikeout, Hurricanes catcher Jack Sheahan stepped to the plate. On a 1-1 count from reliever Connor Kimball, Sheahan launched a walk-off, two-run homer to deep left field, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and completing the improbable comeback.

Sheahan’s heroics preserved Miami’s perfect start, moving the Hurricanes to 4-0. UCF, which had outscored its first three opponents 44-1 in a sweep of Siena, fell to 3-1.

Miami used eight pitchers in the marathon contest, with Chris Bilka, Brandon Bradley-Cooney and closer JT Caruso combining for four innings of relief. UCF utilized seven hurlers. The Knights’ bullpen ultimately issued five walks and hit six batters, with four of those hit-by-pitches coming in the fateful ninth inning.

Williamson led UCF with three hits, including a home run and a double, driving in three runs. Ross and Lodise each had two hits and an RBI. For Miami, Ogden’s two-run homer ignited the comeback, while Torres and Sheahan provided the critical late-game hits.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Miami with a 58.1% probability to win.

UCF travels to Jacksonville, Florida, for a weekend tournament, facing Notre Dame on Friday. Miami hosts Indiana State on Wednesday.