March 26, 2006
ORLANDO - Brittany Walters had UCF's lone hit in the fifth inning as the Golden Knights fell to Houston 4-0 Sunday afternoon in Conference USA action at the UCF Softball Stadium. The Cougars improved to 24-12 on the season and 6-3 in C-USA, while the Golden Knights dropped to 13-23 and 0-9.
Ashley Baker fell to 1-5 in the circle, pitching six innings and giving up two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
The Cougars attempted to score a run in the top of the first, but were denied by UCF center fielder Kacie Feaster when she threw out Katie Bush at home to end the inning.
In UCF's half of the second, Walters just missed giving the Golden Knights a two-run lead when she sent a shot just foul over the fence in right field.
Houston broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the sixth as the Cougars scored two runs on two outs. The Golden Knights loaded the bases with Cougars before Angel Shamblin scored on a fielding error. Jamie Adams then singled to center field, scoring Laurie Wagner for the second run.
The Cougars added two more runs in the seventh on two hits and one UCF error. With runners on first and third, Elaina Nordstrom hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Jaci Gonzalez. Two batters later, Wagner singled up the middle, plating Bush from second for run number two of the inning.
Carla Kennimer pitched 5.1 innings to earn the win for the Cougars, giving up no runs on one hit with three strikeouts. Shamblin picked up her first save of the season, pitching 1.2 innings and striking out four.
The Golden Knights take to the road next weekend to face Southern Miss at 2 p.m. on both days. UCF returns home on April 5 to host Jacksonville at the UCF Softball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate, $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and children 5-17.