May 2, 2006
ORLANDO - Michelle Newton was 3-for-5 at the plate with one run as the UCF softball team dropped two to instate rival Florida State Tuesday night at the UCF Softball Stadium. The Seminoles won the first game 2-0 and then followed that up with an 8-2 victory in the nightcap.
The Golden Knights fell to 19-34 on the season, while the 'Noles improved to 36-24.
Game One:
Florida State broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the sixth when Melissa Wood hit a two-run homer over the left field fence.
The Golden Knights threatened to score in the home half of the sixth after loading the bases but were unable to bring a run across.
At the end of game one, UCF and Florida State were tied with six hits apiece. Natasha Jacob led the Seminoles at the plate, going 3-for-4, while the Golden Knights spread their six hits around.
Tiffany McDonald earned the win for the Seminoles, going the distance and giving up no runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts. Allison Kime was tagged with loss, pitching seven innings and giving up two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts.
Game Two:
The Seminoles struck early in the second game, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Whitney Buckmon reached on a bunt single and then stole second. Two batters later, Buckmon scored on a Veronica Wootson bunt single. Wootson scored on a Brittany Osmon double to center field, giving Florida State a 2-0 lead.
Osmon earned her second RBI of the game when she hit a home run in the fourth inning, about the same place she hit the double earlier in the game.
Florida State put a four spot on the board in the fifth inning off of four hits. After back-to-back singles through the right side, Buckmon singled down the left field line, scoring LaShaun Davis. Yuruby Alicart reached on a fielder's choice as Natasha Jacob was thrown out at home. Wootson singled up the middle, scoring Buckmon from third. Michelle Snyder then reached on a fielding error, allowing Wootson and Alicart to score the final runs of the inning.
The Golden Knights scored two runs in the home half of the sixth after loading the bases with no outs. Newton led off the inning with a single to left field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Cici Alvarez walked, while Newton advanced to third on a pass ball. Alvarez stole second to give UCF runners on second and third. Breanne Javier walked to load the bases for Amber Lamb. Lamb hit a single to left field, scoring Newton and Alvarez.
Florida State added another run in the seventh when Snyder singled to the pitcher, scoring Wootson from third.
The Seminoles won the second game, 8-2. Kayla Collins earned the win, pitching seven innings and giving up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Magon Paul was pegged with the loss, going 4.2 innings and giving up seven runs on eight hits with one strikeout.
Newton led the Golden Knights offensively, going 2-for-3 with one run, while Lamb earned the two RBI.
The Golden Knights return to the UCF Softball Complex to host East Carolina Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. both days. Tickets for all home games are available at the gate, $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and children 5-17 and free for children under four and students with a valid UCF ID.