Feb. 10, 2006
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Sophomore Ashley Van Ryn picked up her first career grand slam as UCF defeated Texas Tech, 4-2, Friday afternoon. The Golden Knights dropped their first game of the Triple Crown Tournament to Southern Illinois, 5-2.
Cici Alvarez was 4-for-6 from the plate with six assists in the field, while Van Ryn was 2-for-4 with one home run, a walk, four RBI and six putouts at second base.
Game One:
"It was a good showing for our first games of the weekend tournament," said head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie. "Scoring first against Southern Illinois was a big confidence booster for our team. The double by Breanne helped set the pace of the game."
In the first inning, UCF jumped out to a two-run lead when freshman Breanne Javier ripped a two-run double down the right field line scoring Alvarez and Kacie Feaster.
The Salukis cut UCF's lead in half in the bottom of the second inning when Becky Wegmann hit a double into right center scoring Chelsea Petty from first.
Southern Illinois took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by Jayne Wamsley. The Salukis followed the fifth up with a two-run sixth inning to make the final score 5-2.
Allison Kime was pegged with the loss of the first game after pitching six innings and giving up five runs on eight hits with three strikeouts.
Game Two:
"It was exciting to get our first Big XII and 2006 win," said Gillispie. "The win was a complete team effort. Our plate appearances and aggressive base running were the keys to the success of the game. An exciting fourth inning saw Amber, Shelly and Lindsay all walk to load the bases setting the stage for Ashley's first career home run."
The Red Raiders put a dent on the board in the first inning on a Montana Patin sacrifice fly to center field scoring Ashley Parker.
Texas Tech added a second run in third when Patin singled to center field plating Parker again.
Van Ryn ripped her first career grand slam over the left field fence in the fourth inning giving UCF the 4-2 victory. The bases were loaded with Golden Knights due to three walks.
Magon Paul picked up her first career win as a Golden Knight after going seven innings and giving up two runs on four hits with one strikeout.
"The performances by Allison and Magon gives us stability for the 2006 season as well as our junior leadership by Cici and Amber on both sides of the plate," said Gillispie.
The Golden Knights return to the diamond Saturday at 11 a.m. for day two of the Triple Crown Tournament.