Feb. 17, 2007
(9) UCLA 3, UCF 0
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UNLV 8, UCF 0 (5 innings)
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Las Vegas, Nev. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF softball team dropped its opening two games of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic on Friday, falling to No. 9 UCLA 3-0 and tournament host UNLV 8-0 in five innings.
In the first of five games for the Golden Knights in Las Vegas this weekend, one swing of the bat was the difference in the contest with UCLA at Jim Rogers Field.
UCF starting pitcher Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla./Hillsborough C.C.) scattered eight hits and pitched out of two bases-loaded jams, but surrendered a three-run homer to UCLA third baseman Lisa Dodd that provided the winning runs for the Bruins. Kime (2-2) took the loss despite her fourth-consecutive complete game.
UCLA packed the bases in the top of the first, but Kime was able to escape without allowing a run. A strong throw by rightfielder Ashley Van Ryn (Atlanta, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian School) prevented a Bruins' run in the second as pinch-runner Celina Rubalcaba was tagged out at the plate by catcher Cat Snapp to end the frame.
The Knights first chance to push across a run came in the second, but the team could not capitalize on a pair of UCLA errors as Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif./Valencia) was left stranded on third after she reached on an infield single.
Dodd delivered her three-run shot in the top of the third to break the scoreless tie.
Cici Alvarez (Pembroke Pines, Fla./McArthur) tried to steal a run in the Knights' half of the third, but she was thrown out at the plate by shortstop Jodie Legaspie, who cut off an attempt to get Lamb on the move from first.
UCF put a pair of runners on base in the sixth, but once again came up empty as Langenfeld worked out the jam. Langenfield improved to 3-1 on the young campaign as she allowed only three hits and struck out five.
Kime escaped from another bases loaded jam in the seventh, enducing Kristen Dedmon to ground out for the fourth time in the game.
In the night cap of day one action, tournament host UNLV used a seven-run, third inning to defeat the Golden Knights.
UCF starter Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla./Pace) allowed only a bunt single in the first two frames before the Rebels touched up the right-hander for seven runs in the fourth. Only two of the runs were earned as UNLV took advantage of a trio of errors, a wild pitch and three hits in the frame.
UNLV pitcher Shannon Crisp retired the first nine Knights she faced before Kacie Feaster (Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy) led off the fourth with a bloop single to center. Feaster was the lone UCF hitter to hit safely in both games. However, Crisp avoided a let down by forcing three-consecutive fielder choice groundouts to end the frame.
Crisp (1-0), who only allowed Feaster's single, picked up her first win of the season as the Rebels improved to 7-1. Megan Murphy (Port Orange, Fla./Daytona Beach C.C.) had a pinch-hit in the fifth off of UNLV reliever Stephanie Bregante.
The Knights (3-4) play two more games on Saturday, facing Colorado State at 6 p.m. and Seton Hall at 11 p.m. ET. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.