May 14, 2005
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Bryttani Lindheim hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to give UCF a 3-2 victory over Florida Atlantic in the 2005 Atlantic Sun Softball Tournament. The Golden Knights advance to the championship game tomorrow at noon against Troy in Boca Raton, Fla. The Black and Gold improve to 44-27-1 on the season, while the Owls' with a 37-32 record on the season.
Lindheim was 1-for-4 with the single and RBI, while Amber Lamb was 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. Lindsay Enders picked up her 23rd win of the season for the Knights pitching all nine innings and giving up two unearned runs on five hits, three walks and two strikeouts.
Florida Atlantic jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Jessica Braggins hit a single scoring Melissa Moore from second.
The Golden Knights threatened in their half of the first but was denied when Lindheim was thrown out at third on a bang-bang play.
The Owls added another run in the top of the fifth on one hit and three UCF errors.
The Knights had a runner on the third in the bottom of the fifth but were unable to plate the run.
Enders helped her own cause in the bottom of the sixth when she ripped a double into center field scoring Stephanie Best, who reached on an error, and Lamb, who doubled to left field.
In the bottom of the ninth, Lindheim came through with a two-out single to left center scoring Kacie Feaster from third. Feaster reached base when she laid down a perfect bunt for a single and then stole second and third. Cici Alvarez was able to draw a two-out walk to extend the inning which gave Lindheim the opportunity to single.
Lauren Crandall led the Owls' offense going 2-for-4 at the plate, while Meghan Doonan (15-14) was pegged with the loss. Doonan gave up one run on four hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
The Golden Knights return to the softball diamond Saturday at noon when they take on Troy in the championship game. The Black and Gold have to defeat the Trojans twice on Saturday in order to take home the championship and receive the A-Sun's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. All of UCF's games at the tournament will be broadcast live via the internet at www.ucfathletics.com along with live stats.