April 10, 2007
Jacksonville, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF (29-16, 6-6 C-USA) used six hits, including a flawless 3-for-3 performance from Breanne Javier, to secure a 4-2 win over Jacksonville (14-32) at the JU Softball Complex Tuesday. Lexi Gresham pitched her second complete game, earning her fourth win of the season for the Knights.
The Dolphins started the scoring in their half of the first inning after stringing together two hits and a sacrifice bunt to plate Patricia Melo, who led off the inning with a single through the left side. At the end of one, Jacksonville led, 1-0.
The Golden Knights answered right back with a run of their own when Allison Kime led off the inning with a walk and Javier reached on a bunt single to third base. Hillary Barrow advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt before Cat Snapp crushed a long fly ball to left field to score Kime from third base on a sacrifice fly. With the run, the Black and Gold tied the game, 1-1.
UCF came out firing on all cylinders in the third to take its first lead of the game, 2-1. Kacie Feaster lined a shot up the middle and reached third on a sacrifice bunt from Cici Alvarez. Jacksonville's third baseman threw the ball in the dirt on the play at first, allowing Feaster to move to third and Alvarez to reach the bag safely. Amber Lamb stepped up and hit her second RBI in as many games on a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Feaster to score from third before Alvarez was thrown out on the play for out number three.
Not even a little rain could douse the fire of the UCF bats as the Knights tacked on one more run to go up 3-1 on the Dolphins. Kime took her second walk of the night to start the inning and landed at third after back-to-back singles off the bats of Javier and Barrow. With the bases juiced, Snapp knocked her second sacrifice fly to the outfield to bring Kime home.
Jacksonville cut UCF's lead to one in the bottom of the fourth inning using three singles and a walk to register its second run of the game. But, with bases loaded, Gresham got Ashley Mora to fly out to center field to end the inning. Following four innings, The Golden Knights maintained a 3-2 lead.
Feaster started off the Black and Gold's half of the inning by reaching base on an error by the Dolphins' shortstop and stole second base. Alvarez joined her on the bases after she was given a free base by the pitcher. Lamb reached base on a fielder's choice that forced Feaster out at third. Javier ripped a screamer off the center field wall for her seventh double and 15th RBI of the season that put Alvarez across the plate. Barrow loaded the bases on a walk, but relief pitcher Katie Buell got Snapp to fly out to left field to get out of the jam. In the middle of the fifth, the Golden Knights stayed on top, 4-2.
JU threatened in the sixth inning, advancing two runners into scoring position, but Gresham continued to work hard in the circle, getting the next two batters to ground out, holding the Dolphins scoreless.
Feaster, Kime and Barrow added one hit apiece for the Black and Gold, while Snapp had two RBI on the night.
Snapp's two sacrifice flies in the win tie the catcher for the UCF single-game record last held by Jennifer Whitley back in 2003.
The Golden Knights are back at home on Wednesday as they take on the Florida Atlantic Owls at the UCF Softball Complex for a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 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.