It wasn’t long ago that left-handed pitchers Brian Adkins and Steven Ewing were throwing everything they had at opposing batters as seniors at University High School.

Nearly a year after capping off successful prep careers together, the college freshmen watched each other pitch from opposite dugouts at Jay Bergman Field in front of a standing-room only crowd. They didn’t talk much leading into the showdown and there certainly wasn’t much to speak about afterwards.

On Tuesday night Ewing and Miami swept though town, leaving behind the remnants of a convincing 19-2 win over Adkins and the UCF Knights. It was the first meeting in East Orlando between the two programs since 1990.

Family and friends – as well as former classmates and coaches – all had a hand in producing a major turnout by UCF standards. Despite being played over spring break, the matchup drew 2,546 spectators, which now stands as the second-largest home crowd in program history.

Last season there were 2,758 on hand to watch UCF take on Florida.

Steven Ewing (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

For Ewing and the No. 13 Hurricanes it felt like just another home game as they routinely compete in front of several thousand each outing.

Apparently the crowds have hardly bothered Ewing during his first season under the spotlight. He’s just been concentrating on making the most of his opportunity on the mound.

In only his second collegiate start he earned his second victory on the season as he held the Knights to three hits and two earned runs over six innings in the win.

“I’m grateful that coaches have the trust in me to come out here and throw every week,” said Ewing. “I’m thankful that they gave me the spot. I worked hard for it over the fall and feel like I earned it.”

Miami Coach Jim Morris was impressed with the way Ewing got ahead of hitters throughout the night and showed such good composure for a youngster.

“I thought he did an outstanding job,” said Morris. “It was great for him to be back home and to pitch well.”

Ewing, who was drafted in the 37th round by the Cleveland Indians in the 2009 MLB Draft, knows several of the players on UCF’s roster and said afterwards that it was “nice to see them and throw against most of them.”

Ewing made his first career start March 2 at USF, where he earned the decision after allowing six hits and two runs over 6.1 innings.

“So far he’s just been outstanding,” said Morris. “We have high expectations for him and high hopes.”

The season hasn’t started out as bright for Adkins, or even the Knights for that matter. Despite settling down after Miami hitters made good contact on his pitches in the first inning, the Knights would commit five errors in the field to put UCF in an 8-1 deficit after four innings.

“I thought that Brian Adkins pitched pretty well, to be honest with you,” said UCF Coach Terry Rooney afterwards.

Brian Adkins (Photo by J.C. Carnahan)

Adkins would be credited with two earned runs and seven hits over 3.2 innings of work. He allowed three earned runs over four innings at No. 5 Florida and gave up five runs in less than an inning a week earlier against Duquesne.

The chaos mirrors the current slide the team finds itself in. The Knights are currently in the mist of a five-game losing streak after starting the season 7-1.

“We’re going to be alright, we’re going to get on track,” said Adkins. “It’s really no different from high school – it’s baseball”

And for the most part college baseball has been a good experience for Adkins.

“The guys on the team are great,” he said. “It’s just a matter of us coming together as a team and gelling. It’s only a matter of time.”

Wins and losses aside, there was one individual in attendance on Tuesday that took great pride in seeing both lefties on the mounds.

“To see each of them get to live the dream they always had of playing college baseball – regardless of the scoreboard – is a thrill,” said former University head coach and current Cypress Creek assistant Rodney Beatty.

“It’s an awesome feeling watching them and remembering them when they were freshman and as they got older into juniors and seniors.”

And the book on them both is just beginning to be outlined.

While Miami and UCF are scheduled to meet again in south Florida on March 23 – with future meetings already being planned for seasons to come – Adkins and Ewing will continue to focus on the goals of their respective teams.

After all, there are conference schedules and postseason tournaments to look forward to while living out that dream their former high school coach speaks of. Bragging rights can wait for another day.