April 1, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Allison Kime (16-6) had the Marshall Thundering Herd (22-16, 6-6 C-USA) fooled all game long, as the junior hurler allowed only two hits while striking out seven on her way to her third shutout of the week. The Knights' (27-16, 6-6 C-USA) offense had Kime's back all game long, pounding out nine hits and scoring five runs to secure the 5-0 win on Sunday at the UCF Softball Complex.
The Golden Knights put a run across early in the game as Cici Alvarez reached on a fielder's choice, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amber Lamb and came around to score on a RBI single from Kime. The junior advanced to second on the throw from centerfield, but was tagged out after sliding past the bag at third. At the end of one inning, the Black and Gold led, 1-0.
UCF tacked on two more runs thanks to a clutch hit down the left-field line by Kacie Feaster. The centerfielder knocked both runs in with bases loaded and two outs to put the Knights ahead, 3-0 at the conclusion of two.
Lindsay Dean led off the fourth inning with a double down the left-field line off the glove of third baseman, Samantha Rodriguez. The next very next play advanced Dean to third base, as Megan Murphy laid down a key sacrifice bunt down the first base line. Dean was plated on an infield single by Alvarez to extend the Knights' lead, 4-0.
One more run crossed the plate in the fifth inning following an error on a hit back to the pitcher. Kime hit a line drive back up the middle that dropped out of the glove of pitcher, Abby Harter. In an attempt to recover from the botched play, the pitcher fired an errant throw to first base, allowing Kime to not only reach first base, but to take second base as well. Breanne Javier placed a sacrifice bunt down in order to move Kime to third base, and Hillary Barrow hit a long fly ball to right field to bring Kime in to score the Knights' fifth run of the game.
Dean's bat was hot for the Black and Gold as she led the Knights going 2-for-2 with a double and scoring two runs.
In all, UCF had six sacrifice bunts in the game thanks to two from Javier and Murphy, and one apiece from Lamb and Ashleigh Cole, which ties the UCF record for sacrifice hits in a game.
The Golden Knights play again on Wednesday, April 4 when they travel to DeLand, Fla. to take on Stetson. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
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