March 25, 2007
Tulsa, Okla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF softball team used a 12-hit attack and a flawless defensive outing to take its second win of the weekend from Tulsa, 7-1, on Sunday at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex. With the victory, the Knights improved their record to 24-14 on the season and 4-5 in Conference USA.
Allison Kime recorded her 13th win and 17th complete game as she allowed only one run on seven hits while fanning five. Breanne Javier was the highlight of the batting order as the sophomore was 3-for-4 from the plate and scored two UCF runs.
Cici Alvarez got things rolling in the first for the Knights as the infield moved in on the third baseman, she popped one over the left fielder's head for a triple. With two outs, Kime put the ball in play, which paid off big for UCF as Tulsa's third baseman could not field the ball cleanly. The error scored Alvarez and put Kime on first base. A single by Javier moved Kime to second, but Jackie Lawrence got Ashleigh Cole to strike out to end the inning, 1-0.
The Hurricane (17-18, 3-5 C-USA) looked as if they would tie it up in the bottom of the inning, after Stephanie Chomicki singled and Sara Dyer hit a double to left center field. The Knights worked their way out of the jam, getting a line out at second base and Kime followed with her second strike out of the game.
The UCF bats erupted for three hits in the second, one of which was a booming home run by Hillary Barrow, the first for the freshman in her career. Lindsay Dean followed with a double to the fence and was brought around on a RBI single off the bat of Kacie Feaster. Alvarez reached base on a dropped throw at first base and Amber Lamb loaded the bases with a single up the middle. The inning came to a close when Kime lined into a double play back to the pitcher.
The bottom of the inning brought with it controversy after Lindsey Tower hit a shot up the middle that ricocheted off Kime's glove. As Barrow went to field the ball she collided with the Tulsa base runner on her way to second. The runner was called out on the play for interference which caused an uproar with the home crowd. After much deliberation, the call stood for out No. 2 and helped UCF get out of the inning unscathed.
The Hurricane defense did not know how to stop the Golden Knights' bats, as UCF posted three more runs in the third inning. Javier led off with a double to the fence in right center and Barrow advanced her to third with an infield single. Dean scored Javier on a fielder's choice, and Megan Murphy walked to load the bases. Feaster brought two runs around on a single up the middle to extend the Black and Gold lead, 6-0.
UCF added an insurance run in the seventh inning off a fielder's choice by Dean. Javier reached first base earlier on her third hit of the game and moved to second on a hit to right field by pinch hitter Shelly Frick. Dean hit what looked to be a double-play ball, but Tulsa shortstop, Kelli McGlasson, over-threw the ball to first, scoring Javier to seal the win for the Knights, 7-1.
The Black and Gold will be back in action on Wednesday, March 28, when it travels to Tallahassee to take on in-state rival Florida State in a non-conference doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports.