March 26, 2008
Miami, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF softball team used a six-run third inning to defeat Florida International, 9-5, at the University Park Softball Complex Wednesday afternoon. Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with a double, a RBI and a walk to lead the Knights at the plate, while Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.) had two hits and three RBI. With the win, the Black and Gold improve their record to 27-14 and extend their winning streak to nine games.
Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) picked up the win in the circle for UCF, allowing only two runs on six hits, while striking out six batters. Her record moved to 9-6 with the victory.
The Knights plated the first run of the game in the top of the third inning on a RBI double by Lane. Cat Snapp (Niceville, Fla.) led off the inning with a single up the middle, before Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) reached on a fielder's choice. With both runners reaching base safely on the play, Lane hit a double off the right centerfield wall to score Snapp from second base. The Golden Panthers intentionally walked Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) to load the bases with only one out, but Barrow showed them she was not one to mess with, nailing a single through the right side, plating both McClain and Lane and extending UCF's lead to three runs. Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif.) kept the hit attack alive, placing a single to shallow centerfield to score Javier, before a wild pitch allowed Barrow to score from third. A misplayed ball off the bat of Cole allowed Gresham to touch home plate and gave the Black and Gold a 6-0 lead after 2.5 innings of play.
Barrow posted her third RBI of the contest in the fourth inning with a single to left centerfield, making the score 7-1 in favor of the Knights.
FIU scored its second run in the bottom of the inning when Jessica Landau led off the frame with a home run over the left-field fence.
UCF kept the runs coming, with two crossing the plate in the sixth inning thanks to RBIs by both Gresham and Kime.
FIU knocked another home run in the seventh inning, a two-run shot by Ashley Faulk, to make the score, 9-5, but its rally ended there with Landau flying out to right field to end the game.
The crowd went wild in the bottom of the sixth inning when Diana Rojas (Miami, Fla.) entered the game to pitch for the Knights, facing her sister Carolina Rojas during the inning.
UCF continues to play on the road this weekend, taking on Marshall in a three-game Conference USA series at Dorothy `Dot' Hicks Field. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m., while Sunday's contest is set for Noon.
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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