May 4, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Following UCF's pivotal Conference USA series sweep of UTEP, the Knights must pack their bags and head to Memphis, Tenn. for their last regular-season series May, 5-6 at the UM Softball Complex. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. with Sunday's series finale set for 1 p.m.
Previewing Memphis
With a 7-12 C-USA record this season, the Tigers are in a must-win situation when the Knights come to town. In order to have a shot a making the league tournament, Memphis must sweep UCF this weekend. If the Tigers drop a single game to the Knights they are mathematically out of post-season contention. Memphis is led at the plate by Leila Dolfo who holds a .312 batting average, 34 runs, 58 hits, 18 doubles and 11 home runs.
UCF All-Time vs. Memphis
The Knights currently lead the all-time series with Memphis, 2-1, after winning a pair of contests last April at the UCF Softball Complex. UCF won the first game, 2-1, before Ashley Van Ryn hit a three-run dinger to lift the Black and Gold to a 4-3 victory in game two. The Knights could not pull of the series sweep on Sunday, as the Tigers came away with a 3-1 upset.
Get That Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Following last weekend's series sweep of UTEP, the Knights secured themselves a spot in the 2007 Conference USA Softball Championship presented by Coca-Cola that UCF is hosting, May 10-12. Three other teams have already won a spot in the six-team tournament including C-USA regular season champs Houston, East Carolina and Tulsa. The final two squads to make the event will be determined this weekend.
Hey Now, You're an All Star
Sophomore Breanne Javier was named Conference USA's Hitter of the Week after guiding the Knights to a critical conference sweep over UTEP, securing the Black and Gold its first berth in the C-USA Softball Championship. Javier was 4-for-8 (.500), scoring three runs and cranking out three RBI. The first baseman had at least one hit in each of the Knights' three contests.
Tops in the Nation
Cici Alvarez and Allison Kime stayed atop the NCAA Division I rankings this week as Alvarez claimed sole possession of the number one spot in the nation with 29 sacrifice hits (.52 per game). Kime moved up one spot in the rankings as she placed herself fifth on the list with a 0.88 ERA.
No Soup for You
UCF held the top-hitting team in C-USA, UTEP, scoreless in the Knights three-game series with the Miners. The C-USA foe averaged almost nine hits a game until it met up with the sixth-ranked pitching staff in the nation. Allison Kime and Lexi Gresham gave up a mere seven hits in the series, with not a single hit for extra bases.
April Showers Bring Big Numbers
Breanne Javier registered a .429 batting average (15-35) in the month of April, which included seven RBI, five runs scored and two doubles. The sophomore also recorded four multi-hit games in the month.
Sit `em Down
Allison Kime shattered UCF's single-season strikeout record last weekend after fanning 22 batters, bringing her 2007 total to 230 whiffs. Last year, the Hillsborough C.C. transfer set a new top mark in the same category when she struck out 222 batters. With at least two regular-season starts and a guaranteed post-season berth left for the junior, she looks to make the new mark unreachable to her understudies.
Lucky Number Seven
The UCF bats are hot in the seventh inning this season as the squad is batting .339 in its final at bat. Senior Cici Alvarez paces her team in the last inning, hitting .625, while freshman Hillary Barrow also fares well in the seventh. The second baseman is 9-for-17 with four doubles and three RBI.
Extra! Extra! Get Your Free Softball Here
Allison Kime has not allowed a run in the seventh inning or in extra-innings in 2007. The hurler has 29 strikeouts in free softball innings and has not allowed a hit in the eighth inning.
Monday Thru Friday, Make It a Double
Eight of Amber Lamb's team-leading 12 home runs have come during the week, inclduing three on Thursdays.
Double Decker Supreme
Five of UCF's nine starters hold a top 10 position on the UCF career record chart in double plays turned. Hillary Barrow currently holds down the ninth spot, with eight double plays in only one year on the field for the Knights.
No Runs for 21
Allison Kime needs two more shutouts to take sole possession of the top spot in UCF softball history. Dottie Cupp currently holds the number one position recording 20 shutouts between 2002-03. With 19 under her belt, Kime could possibly take the lead with two starts left in the regular season.
Three More for Double
If the Knights are able to pull off three wins this weekend, their 38 wins this season would double their win total from 2006. The team went 19-37 a year ago.
The First Cut is the Deepest
In the month of April, UCF recorded wins in seven of eights games when it scored the first run of the contest. The Knights were also victorious in five of six games in which they scored in the first inning.
This Day in UCF Softball History
May 5 - In 2005, heavy rains hit the DeLand, Fla. area, postponing UCF's Atlantic Sun Conference matchup with Stetson. Also, the Knights dropped two 1-0 A-Sun games to Florida Atlantic in 2004. May 6 - Allison Kime broke UCF's single-season strikeout record in 2006 against East Carolina with her 222nd fan.
Break the Tie
With only one C-USA series left to play, the Black and Gold is in a deadlock, 57-57, tie with all of its C-USA opponents in hits this season.
To Whom It MAY Concern
UCF is 16-20 all-time in the month of May with a combined batting average of .230. The Black and Gold held a program best 7-4 record in this month in 2005, the year the Knights took the A-Sun Conference crown and played in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
Living for the Weekend
Kacie Feaster thrives during the weekends, recording a .333 batting average and posting five of her team-leading seven doubles on Saturday and Sunday. The senior also accumulated five of her eight total doubles and 16 RBI on the days most people are off work.
Keeping `Em in the Park
As a team, the Knights have given up only nine home runs this season, placing them atop the conference. The closest C-USA opponent to that number is Houston, giving up 21 round-trippers in 2007.
Final Trip of Their Careers
Sunday will be the final regular-season game for UCF's three seniors, Cici Alvarez, Kacie Feaster and Amber Lamb. They will become only the second group of ladies to play all four years at UCF.
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.
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