March 21, 2008
Orlando. Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF softball team opened Friday's doubleheader against Tulsa with a ceremony to honor head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie for reaching the 500 career-win milestone, while also getting the skipper a doubleheader sweep with 2-0 and 6-5 wins over the Golden Hurricane at the UCF Softball Complex.
Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla.) picked up both wins for the Black and Gold in the circle, allowing no runs on three hits in nine innings of work. The senior totaled nine strikeouts and walked only one batter.
Marquita Council (Orlando, Fla.) paced the Knights' offense in the pair of games with four hits and two runs scored, while Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) added three hits, a double, two runs and two RBI.
"Marquita definitely put pressure on the Tulsa defense today by getting on base to lead off innings," Luers-Gillispie said. "It was huge for Allison to get us the first win and to be able to come in relief in the second game and close Tulsa down for the win."
In game one, the Knights scored both of their runs in the third inning, thanks to back-to-back singles by Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Javier, and RBIs from Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif.) and Kime.
Council and Kime both posted two hits in the opening game.
In game two, the Golden Hurricane took a three-run lead in the third inning after Lauren Lindsay hit a three-run home run over the right field fence.
But, the Black and Gold answered back in its half of the frame, plating three runs courtesy of a Javier double to the centerfield fence and a single up the middle by Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.). Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) led off the inning with a single and Council reached on a bunt single, before Javier put the Knights within one run of the Golden Hurricane. Barrow then plated Javier and tied the game, 3-3.
The score remained deadlocked for only one inning, with Tulsa scoring two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Again, UCF fought back, answering with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. McClain walked, Council singled and Javier singled. A throwing error by the shortstop on a play at the plate allowed both runners to score and against tied the game, 5-5.
The winning run for the Knights came in the sixth inning thanks to a walk, a Golden Hurricane throwing error and a RBI by Lane.
"It was good to see our offense answering in both the third and fifth innings of that second game," Luers-Gillispie said. "We could have easily given up after going down by three and two runs in those innings, but the team never gave up and came away with a big win."
Council had two hits and scored two runs in the contest, while Javier had two hits, a double, two RBI and scored a run. McClain added two runs and a hit for the home team.
UCF concludes its three-game league series with Tulsa Saturday at Noon at the UCF Softball Complex.
Season tickets for the 2008 season are still 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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