Feb. 14, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF (4-6) softball team completed its portion of the UCF Early Bird Tournament Saturday afternoon at the UCF Softball Complex after falling to No. 11 Tennessee, 1-0, in an eight-inning thriller.
Spectacular defensive plays made up the majority of the nightcap against the Lady Volunteers (7-1), as at the end of regulation the game remained scoreless. UCF's starter, Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) had given up only two hits to Tennessee through seven innings, while the Knights managed one hit off the visiting team's starter, Ashton Ward.
In the top of the eighth inning, the Lady Vols tacked on the first run of the game, and the eventual game-winner, after Erinn Webb scored on a sacrifice bunt and a UCF throwing miscue. The second baseman was allowed second base at the start of the frame due to the international tie-breaker rule.
UCF threatened to tie it up in the bottom half of the frame when Vanessa Perez (San Diego, Calif.) reached third on a sacrifice bunt from Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.), but the Lady Vols tossed Perez out at the plate on a fielder's choice, and then forced the Knights to fly out to end the game.
Cole (2-2) suffered the loss in the circle despite giving up only one run, unearned, on three hits in eight innings of work. The junior also posted five strikeouts and walked only one batter.
Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.) posted UCF's only hit of the contest, a double to centerfield in the second inning. In six contests this week, the third baseman hit .353 (6-for-17) with four doubles, a home run and two RBI.
The Knights will hit the road Wednesday for a non-conference match-up with in-state rival Jacksonville at 5:30 p.m., before returning home to host the Comfort Suites Invitational Feb. 20-22 at the UCF Softball Complex.
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2009 softball season, which features 34 home games at the UCF Softball Complex. For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
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