Feb. 9, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with three RBI and one run scored and Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif.) earned her first win of the season in the circle to lead the UCF softball team to an 11-3 victory over Central Arkansas Saturday night at the UCF Softball Complex. The contest was shortened to five innings due to the eight-run rule.
With the win the Knights move to 3-1 on the season and into the UCF Tournament Championship game Sunday at 1 p.m., facing either Kansas or Illinois State.
"Our offensive production was a lot better today," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "We did everything that we needed to do in order to score runs and make things happen. Being able to come out stronger today and get two big wins after the loss to NC State last night shows a lot about this team's character."
Gresham allowed only three hits and one earned run in her second pitching outing of the season, while striking out one.
UCF recorded 12 hits in the game, four for extra bases and scored at least one run in every inning. The defense was also nearly flawless for the Knights as they committed only one error.
Central Arkansas started the scoring in the first inning when a Brittany Bearden double scored Natalie Smith.
UCF tied the game in the bottom of the inning after Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) reached on an error by the shortstop, stole second, moved to third on a bunt single by Marquita Council (Orlando, Fla.) and scored on a fielding error by the Bears' second baseman.
The Knights added six runs in the second inning thanks to a three-run triple off the fence by Javier. Four hits by UCF and three Bear errors set up the half-dozen runs.
The scoring continued for the home team in the third inning when Lane hit a booming triple to center field and was knocked in by Council to put the Knights up, 8-1.
Three more runs crossed the plate for the Black and Gold in the fourth inning with doubles from Cat Snapp (Niceville, Fla.) and Shelly Frick (Jacksonville, Fla.) and singles from Javier and Megan Murphy (Port Orange, Fla.)
The Knights continue play in the UCF Tournament Sunday at 1p.m., facing either Kansas or Illinois State in the championship game at the UCF Softball Complex.
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
-UCF-