April 14, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF second baseman Ashley Van Ryn hit a three-run homer to complete the sweep of Memphis in Conference USA softball action Friday night at the UCF Softball Complex. The Golden Knights took game one, 2-1, and then followed that up with a 4-3 victory in the nightcap.
UCF improved to 16-29 on the season and 2-15 in C-USA, while Memphis fell to 21-21 and 5-8.
"It is good to see that the girls are playing well as a team and really come together," said UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie. "We are coming into the games having fun, laid back and just looking to be the spoiler for any team that comes in here."
Game One: Two runs in the first proved to be enough for the Golden Knights as UCF won the first game, 2-1.
Amber Lamb led off the inning with a single up the middle and was replaced on the base path with Michelle Newton. Newton advanced to third after Cici Alvarez laid down a bunt and Memphis threw the ball into right field. Ashley Baker hit a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Newton from third. UCF's second run of the inning came when Javier singled to left field, scoring Alvarez.
The Lady Tigers scored one run in the fifth inning after Tori Gross reached on a UCF fielding error to lead off. Gross later stole second and then scored on a Cara Stiles single up the middle.
Allison Kime earned the win in the circle for the Golden Knights, pitching seven innings and giving up one run on four hits with six strikeouts. Jenna Kubesch was tagged with the loss, giving up two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.
Javier led UCF's offensive attack in the first game, going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Game Two: The Golden Knights scored one run in the fourth on a Memphis error. Lindsay Dean hit a triple to right field and then scored when Feaster laid down a bunt that was misplayed by the Lady Tigers.
Memphis evened the score in the fifth when Lindsey Pridgen hit a home run over the fence in left center.
The Lady Tigers scored two runs in the sixth to pull ahead, 3-1. Kimberly Hayden led off the inning with a double to left field. Hayden was replaced with Laura Mahoney on the base path. Two batters later Mahoney and Bridgette McNulty scored when Melissa Nance singled to center field.
UCF regained the lead in the sixth after Brittany Walters led off the inning with a walk. Walters advanced to second on a Dean sacrifice bunt that was mishandled by the Lady Tigers. Two batters later, Van Ryn hit her three-run blast over the fence in right center to give the Golden Knights the 4-3 win.
"For Brittany to lead off with the walk and the Lindsay laying down the bunt with their mistake gave us the runners that we needed. We were just looking for a base hit to move runners, but for Ashley (Van Ryn) to come up and sit back on that pitch, it was just beautiful," said Gillsipie.
Baker earned the win for UCF, going the distance and giving up three runs on 10 hits with one strikeout, while Nicki Johnson went six innings and gave up four runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
The Golden Knights and the Lady Tigers return to the softball diamond Saturday afternoon at noon. Tickets for all home games are available at the gate, $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens and children 5-17.