March 15, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - By scoring a combined 27 runs on 31 hits, the UCF softball team run-ruled Bethune-Cookman in both games of a doubleheader Thursday at the UCF Softball Complex, 9-1 and 18-2. The Golden Knights (18-12) scored 17 runs in the first inning of game two, which tied for second-most (Jacksonville in 2004 and Arizona in 2001) in the NCAA Division I record books.
Thanks to a stolen base in the first inning of game one vs. the Wildcats (8-19), senior Cici Alvarez broke the school record by moving her career total to 75. The previous high was set by Jania Shinhoster (2002-05).
UCF's 38 total bases in the second outing smashed the school mark of 31 set in 2005, however it fell one hit shy of tying the record of 22 hits in a ballgame. Meanwhile, Kacie Feaster came within a single of hitting for UCF's first cycle in program history, as she recorded all three of her extra-base hits in the first inning. Also entering the record books, Hillary Barrow posted two triples to become just the second Golden Knight (Stephanie Best, 2003) to accomplish the feat in a game.
In the two victories, Feaster, Alvarez, Breanne Javier and Allison Kime each racked up five hits.
Game One Recap
With UCF starter Ashleigh Cole in the circle for the first outing, Bethune-Cookman jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-out RBI single by Christina Trimble. The Golden Knights returned the favor in the bottom half, tying the game when Javier ripped a 3-1 pitch to right field with two outs, plating Alvarez from second.
UCF came right back in the second. A walk to Barrow put the first runner on and Ashley Van Ryn was plunked by a Lanaya Jenkins pitch. Following two stolen bases, Morgan Bullard sent a grounder to Shaterra Davis at second, who ran over to touch first but it provided enough time for both runs to cross home.
After each team went quietly in the third and fourth, Feaster virtually sealed the victory with a three-run triple in the fifth. Kime led off the frame with a single, and two outs later, Shelly Frick and Megan Murphy drew walks to load the bases. On a 1-1 pitch, Feaster found the gap in left center to clear the bases and stretch the lead to 6-1. The Knights struck again in the sixth to run-rule the Wildcats, getting a leadoff walk to Amber Lamb and two-straight singles from Javier and Kime to make it 7-1. A fielding error loaded the bases for Barrow to notch a sacrifice fly, and a Van Ryn RBI single closed out the win.
Cole (7-5) completed her evening by giving up just the one run on two hits in 6.0 innings, striking out two and not walking a batter.
Game Two Recap
Bethune-Cookman took the early lead in game two, scoring two unearned runs off starter Lexi Gresham (2-1). But with the Wildcats having only one pitcher available, Jenkins went back out to the circle and the Black and Gold took advantage. UCF's first seven batters reached base, all started by Feaster lacing the first pitch she saw for an inside the park homer down the line in right. After the first out, nine-straight Golden Knights recorded a base hit, including a home run by Lamb.
In all, Feaster had a homer, a triple and a double in the first inning alone, while Lamb had a four-bagger and two doubles. Alvarez, Javier, Kime and Murphy each had two hits in the frame as well to help provide UCF with a 17-2 advantage. In the third, a Javier RBI single boosted it up to 18-2, and Gresham finished her five-inning outing by pitching a perfect final inning. She closed her win by allowing no earned runs on just five hits, striking out two and also not walking a Wildcat hitter.
UCF returns to Conference USA action this weekend when it hosts Southern Miss at the UCF Softball Complex. Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. while the series finale takes place Sunday at noon. 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.