Feb. 22, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Sophomore pitcher Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) recorded three hits and picked up her second win of the season in the circle to lead the UCF softball team to a 5-2 win over Birmingham Southern Friday evening at the UCF Softball Complex. Earlier in the day, the Knights dropped a 1-0 contest to Auburn as part of the UCF Tournament, where senior pitcher Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla.) registerd eight strikeouts despite falling to 5-3 on the year.
Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) added two hits against the Panthers, while Marquita Council (Orlando, Fla.) posted a hit in each contest.
"I am proud of the way we came out aggressively at the plate in the second game," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "It would have been easy for the team to hang their heads after such a close game to Auburn, but they really stepped up to the challenge and beat a good Birmingham Southern team."
The Knights jumped on top 1-0 in the first inning against the Panthers in game two, thanks to four-straight singles from Council, Javier, Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.) and Cole. Barrow's single up the middle scored Council from second base. Three of UCF's four hits in the inning were through the middle of the infield.
Ashleigh Van Ryn (Atlanta, Ga.) reached base on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning and stole second base, her first steal of the season, before Lane drove her in with a another single up the middle. The run gave the Knights a 2-0 advantage.
The sixth inning brought with it another run for UCF, with Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) hitting a sacrifice fly to left field to score Megan Murphy (Port Orange, Fla.), who was pinch running for Cole. Cole reached base with a lead off single up the middle.
The Panthers cut the lead to one in the sixth with a single by Melissa Muehlenfield through the right side. An error allowed for Grace Stokes to reach base and a triple by Anne Lawrence scored the two runs.
UCF secured the win with two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning courtesy of a pair of Panther miscues.
In game one versus Auburn, Council reached base twice, while her and Barrow posted the Knights' only two hits of the contest.
Kime took the loss for the Black and Gold in the game, moving her record to 5-3 on the season. The senior allowed one run on four hits, while striking out eight Auburn batters.
The Knights continue play in the UCF Tournament Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. game against George Mason, before facing No. 12 Michigan at 6 p.m. Scores and statistics for all games of the UCF Tournament can be found by visiting the softball page at UCFAthletics.com.
Season tickets for the 2008 season are now available and can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000. 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. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics
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