Feb. 22, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF softball team is set to host a 15-game tournament this weekend at the UCF Softball Complex, beginning Friday with a six-game slate. The Golden Knights will entertain five other teams in the round-robin tournament that will also feature Alabama State, Albany, Boston, George Mason and Villanova.
The first game will be between Alabama State and Villanova at 9 a.m. on Friday. The Knights will hit the field twice on the opening day, facing Albany at 5:30 p.m. and Boston at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23-25 - UCF Tournament - Orlando, Fla.
UCF Golden Knights - 7-5, 0-0 Conference USA
Alabama State University - 4-2, 0-0 Soutwestern Athletic Conference (First Meeting)
Boston University - 0-0, 0-0 America East Conference (UCF leads 1-0)
George Mason University - 0-0, 0-0 Colonial Athletic Association (First Meeting)
University of Albany - 1-1, 0-0 America East Conference (First Meeting)
Villanova University - 0-0, 0-0 Big East Conference (UCF leads 1-0)
Bringing It Home Following a split Feb. 21 with Hofstra, the Golden Knights (7-5) will host the UCF Tournament at the UCF Softball Complex Feb. 23-25. The weekend should be action packed with six games Friday and Saturday and three games Sunday. The tournament will kick off at 9 a.m. Friday with UCF getting underway at 5:30 p.m.
Previewing Albany Albany started off its 2007 season 1-1, splitting a doubleheader with Stetson on Feb. 21. Albany is returning eight players from last year's 36-13-1 season lineup. Albany will meet UCF for the first time on Friday.
Previewing Boston University The Terriers went 29-29 on the 2006 season and welcome back one of their top players, sophomore Shayne Lotito for the 2007 campaign. Lotito hit .354 in 2006, with team-highs in at-bats (198), runs (43), triples (4) and a school record 70 hits. Friday's meeting will be the second contest for the Golden Knights and the Terriers. The first meeting in 2005 resulted in a UCF win, 6-4.
Previewing George Mason George Mason comes to Orlando with an 8-48 record from 2006. The Patriots are returning eight position players as well as three pitchers, losing only one for the 2007 season. The squad's first game of the year will be against Villanova on Friday. The Green and Yellow will be meeting UCF for the first time ever on Saturday.
Previewing Alabama State Alabama State has started its 2007 season with a 4-2 record earning victories over Huntingdon and Mercer, while suffering a pair of losses to Jacksonville State. The Hornets 2007 roster includes junior pitcher Whitney Valentine who, during her Junior College career, led the nation in strikeouts per inning, averaging 14 strikeouts per game. Saturday's game will be the first meeting between the Golden Knights and the Hornets.
Previewing Villanova The Lady Wildcats are coming off a 13-40 2006 season with a 12th place finish in the Big East. The team has 10 returning starters and five newcomers on the roster for 2007. The UCF Tournament will be home to the Wildcats first game of the season as they face Alabama State on Friday. UCF and Villanova met for the first time in 2006 resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Golden Knights.
UCF vs. Hofstra Recap The UCF softball team took one game from Hofstra in a doubleheader at the UCF Softball Complex Wednesday. The Golden Knights won the second game of the twin-bill, 2-1, after dropping the first game, 3-1. Senior Kacie Feaster had two hits and scored both of the Golden Knights' runs in the victory, improving UCF to 7-5 on the season. Despite earning the loss in game one, junior Allison Kime (4-3) struck out 10 batters while tossing her seventh complete game. Freshman hurler Ashleigh Cole (2-2) picked up the win in the circle in the night-cap, coming out of the bullpen to pitch three scoreless innings, striking out four.