Atkinson struck out seven in five innings of work on Thursday.
CINCINNATI -- Senior Ryan Atkinson pitched 5.0 innings with seven strikeouts as Cincinnati downed No. 11 UCF 4-1 on Thursday at Marge Schott Stadium.
Cincinnati used a combination of potent pitching and timely hitting to tame one of the nation's most dangerous offensive teams. The Knights rank among the top five in the NCAA in batting average, hits, homeruns, on base percentage, runs and slugging percentage but managed just five hits and one run against the Bearcats pitching staff.
Atkinson and relievers Jarod Yoakam and Andrew Zellner combined for 12 strikeouts, a season high for Cincinnati.
Sophomore R.J. Thompson had two hits and two RBI to lead the UC offense. Freshman Ryan Noda and junior Devin Wenzel each launched solo homeruns to open the scoring.
The teams had to sit through a pair of lengthy weather delays, one before the first pitch and another following the sixth inning, before completing the game.