March 5, 2005
ORLANDO, Fla. - Bryttani Lindheim had two hits against Michigan State as the Golden Knights and the Spartans tied at four in game eight of the UCF Tournament after being defeated by Penn State, 5-0, in game seven. UCF is now 19-11-1 on the season.
In the first inning, Penn State jumped out to an early lead after the leadoff batter Jen Williams singled to third base. She advanced to second on a sac bunt by Meghan Wolfer and then stole third. Hollee Haines then grounded out to Crystle Krafft at second base. Ashley Esparza reached base on an error by Stephanie Best scoring Williams from third. Leigh Murray followed the error by going down on strikes.
The Golden Knights threatened in the second inning when Lindsay Enders singled to left field and then advanced to second on a passed ball.
The Lions came to life again in the top of the fourth scoring three runs. Esparza started things off for Penn State by singling up the middle. Stephanie Viola then entered the game as a pinch runner for Esparza. Murray lied down a bunt in front of home plate advancing Viola to second. The Nittany Lions executed a double steal with Viola and Murray both advancing 60 feet closer. Destinie Chavez came in as a pinch hitter for Penn State and singled to right field scoring Viola. Murray and Lucas scored on an error by Krafft on a grounder by Jen Acunto to make it 4-0 in favor of the Nittany Lions.
In the fifth inning, Murray singled up the middle for Penn State followed by a triple by Reynolds scoring Murray from first.
The Knights threatened again their half of the fifth. Enders started things off by walking followed by Cat Snapp who was hit by a pitch advancing Enders to second. Cici Alvarez moved Enders and Snapp 60 feet closer on a fielder's choice. The inning ended with Enders and Snapp left on base.
After seven innings of play, Penn State defeated UCF, 5-0. The Nittany Lions improved to 4-4 on the season while the Golden Knights fell to 19-12. Missy Beseres (3-1) earned the win for the Lions, while Enders (7-6) had the loss. UCF had two hits in the game by Enders and Amber Lamb.
UCF took on Michigan State in their second game of the afternoon.
In the first inning, the Golden Knights jumped out to the early lead on an Lamb single to right field. Lindheim started the inning off with a single to left field followed by a sac bunt by Jania Shinhoster. Best walked followed by Lamb's single scoring Lindheim from second making if 1-0 in favor of UCF.
During UCF's fifth inning, the Knights were able to plate another run on a Lindheim double to center field. Pitcher Kelly McIntyre singled to left field before Ashley Van Ryn was put in to run for her. Lindheim came up and busted one over the center fielder's head for the double, scoring Van Ryn from first making it 2-0 for UCF.
Michigan State answered UCF's two runs in their part of the sixth inning by putting a four spot on the board. The Spartans attack was started off by Victoria Morache who laid down a bunt and beat the throw to first. Nicole Mercado doubled to center field advancing Morache to third. Janette Hurtado grounded out to second scoring Morache. Traci Nicosia doubled to left field scoring Mercado from second. Elizabeth Peterson answered with a double of her own to center field scoring Nicosia. Nikki Nicosia then came in to run for Peterson. Caitlin Mahoney doubled to right field scoring Nicosia from second. The inning ended with the Spartans up 4-2.
Best started UCF's sixth inning off with a homerun over the left field fence making it a one run game.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, McIntyre started the Knights rally by making contact with a pitch causing Christy McGrew to fumble it. Nicole Balogh came in to run for McIntyre. Alvarez laid down a bunt and beat the throw to first by Meghan Darhower advancing Balogh to second. Lindheim reached on a fielder's choice after Michigan State got Alvarez out at second allowing Balogh to advance to third. Shinhoster singled to third advancing Lindheim to second. Best drew a walk scoring Balogh from third. The inning ended after Snapp grounded into a fielder's choice.
At the end of seven innings, the score was tied at four apiece.
The eighth inning started the international tiebreaking rules where a runner starts at second base with no outs.
In Michigan State's half of the inning, Mercado started at second and was moved to third on a sac bunt by Hurtado. Traci Nicosia lined out to Krafft at second followed by an unassisted out by Feaster.
UCF started their half of the eighth inning with Snapp on second. Snapp was thrown out at third after Enders laid a bunt down. Krafft hit into a fielder's choice situation causing Enders to be out at second. The inning ended with Balogh popping up to right field.
Due to lighting, the game was called at the end of the eighth inning in a 4-4 tie.
The Golden Knights return to the diamond on Sunday when they take on Central Michigan at 3 p.m. in day three of the UCF Tournament. UCF defeated the Chippewas, 6-2, in day one of the UCF Tournament.