April 5, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshmen Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) combined for three hits, a double and a RBI to lead the Knights (31-15, 9-4 C-USA) at the plate, despite the UCF softball team falling to No. 9 Houston, 5-1, in the first game of the Conference USA doubleheader at the UCF Softball Complex Saturday afternoon. The Cougars (32-4, 10-0 C-USA) snapped the Knights' 13-game winning streak with the victory.
Allison Kime (Brandon, Fla.) was tagged with the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on nine hits, while striking out seven. The senior fell to 18-8 on the season and 7-2 in C-USA action, while ending her 11-game winning streak with the defeat.
Lane's two hits paced the Knights' offense, while McClain recorded a double and a RBI for the home team. Kime scored the only run for the Black and Gold in the contest, reaching base twice on a hit and a walk.
The Cougars struck first in the second inning, with Jennifer Klinkert reaching base after getting hit by a pitch and moving to third on two-consecutive wild pitches. A single by Laurie Wagner brought her in to score and a follow-up single by Angel Shamblin plated Houston's second run of the inning.
The Knights cut the Cougars' lead in half in the bottom of the fifth inning, after Kime singled to lead off the inning, moved to second on a putout and scored on a RBI double down the left field line by McClain.
But, Houston plated three runs in the top of the seventh inning on four hits and a walk, including a leadoff double by Shamblin, to put the game out of reach for the Black and Gold.
Shamblin recorded the win for the Cougars, improving her record to 19-2 on the season. She allowed one run on five hits, while striking out six.
Game two of the series between the Knights and the Cougars is currently delayed in the middle of the first inning due to heavy rains in the Central Florida area. Play should resume around 6 p.m., with UCF coming to the plate.
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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