March 2, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. - The UCF softball team had its five game winning streak snapped on Wednesday afternoon losing two games to No. 7/8 Michigan at the UCF Softball Complex.
The UCF defense got out off a bases loaded jam with nobody out in the third inning of game one. Jessica Merchant grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and Stephanie Best made a nice backhanded stab, and threw a rocket to get Samantha Findlay by a full step.
"Those are situations that we practice all the time," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "It was great for our defense to turn that double play, and then Stephanie made a fantastic play deep in the hole to finish the inning."
Findley made up for in her next at-bat in the sixth inning giving Michigan a 1-0 lead with a home run. Nicole Motycka ripped a single, and moved over to second on fielding error. A sacrifice bunt by Tiffany Worthy put runners on second and third base with two outs.
Michelle Teschler knocked a double off the right field fence driving in two runs extending the lead to 3-0. Merchant slapped a homer in the seventh inning pushing the advantage to 4-0.
"That's the type of team they are," Luers-Gillispie said. "They just keep coming at you, and turn one run into two or three runs before you know it."
The Golden Knights put a run on the board in the home half of the seventh for the final margin 4-1. Crystle Krafft reached on a fielder's choice, and stole second base. Krafft moved over to third on a wild pitch, and Cat Snapp got on base with a strikeout. Snapp was caught stealing, but in the rundown Krafft scored.
In game two, Michigan manufactured a run in the fourth inning capitalizing on a lead-off double down the left field line by Merchant. She would come around to score to make it 1-0 off a sacrifice fly by Motycka.
The Wolverines posted another run in the fifth, and broke the game open with four runs in the sixth inning. Grace Leutele ripped a two-run home run to make it 6-0.
Michigan tacked on another run in the seventh inning on bloop single closing out the game at 7-0.
"We just have to regroup," Luers-Gillispie said. "That's what practice is for tomorrow. We've got a tough weekend ahead with a bunch of quality opposition coming in here, but I have confidence that the girls will get the job done."
UCF hosts Central Michigan and Eastern Kentucky on day one of the UCF Invitational Tournament. Game times are set for 1:00 pm. and 3:00 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex. UCF will also take on Michigan State and Penn State on Saturday afternoon at the same times above. Admission to all softball games is free.
Series Notes:
Michigan is the first ranked opponent to visit the UCF Softball Complex this season... The last ranked opponent to visit the UCF Softball Complex was No. 23 USF on May 7th a season ago... Lindsay Enders ripped her second double of the season to open the third inning of game one... Crystle Krafft is now four-for-four this season in the stolen base department, and 11-for-12 for her career... UCF had its five game winning streak snapped, but has still won 14 of their last 20 games.