May 13, 2004
BOCA RATON - Freshman Cici Alvarez and junior Jania Shinhoster each scored two runs as No. 2 UCF defeated No. 5 Mercer, 5-2, in the opening round of the 2004 Atlantic Sun Softball Championship at FAU Field on Thursday.
The Golden Knights (40-19) take on No. 3 Troy State at 6 p.m., while the Bears (33-29) hope to stay alive with a win over No. 4 Stetson in the 4 p.m. game.
UCF opened up strong in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs. Alvarez reached on a single before advancing to second on an error by the shortstop. She moved to third on a sacrifice by junior Bryttani Lindheim on the next at bat. Two-time Atlantic Sun Player of the Year, junior Stephanie Best walked to first and stolen second. With runners on first and second, Shinhoster knocked a home run over the left field fence.
In the top of the next inning, the Bears had the opportunity to tie the game with the bases loaded and only one out, but UCF escaped by making two straight putouts.
The third inning looked much like the first for the Golden Knights as Alvarez singled up the middle. She stole second and advanced to third on Lindheim's sacrifice bunt. The rookie then sprinted home on a passed ball.
The Golden Knights remained up by four until the top of the fifth inning when a home run by junior Kerri Ryskamp also scored freshman Kelley Bretscher and cut the lead to two.
In the bottom of the sixth, Shinhoster reached on a double and advanced to third on a throwing error at second base. A double to the left field gap by Junior Crystle Krafft drove her home to extend the Golden Knights lead back to three.
With the victory, Enders improved to 20-7 and became only the second UCF pitcher to reach the 20-win mark in a season. She threw seven innings with nine hits and six strikeouts Katie Rosentreter (20-12) got the loss for Mercer after throwing six innings with one strikeout and six hits.