May 20, 2009
Complete NCAA Division I Softball Rankings
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Even though the 2009 season has come to a close for the UCF softball team, the Knights are still battling for the top spot in two NCAA Division I statistical categories. Sophomore Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) is currently tied for the national lead with eight triples, while the Black and Gold defense holds down the No. 1 spot in double-plays turned per game.
A member of the All-Conference USA First Team, Lane broke the UCF program record for triples in a season when she tallied eight this year, while also earning the top spot on the program's career register and the third spot on the league's all-time leaderboard with 15 in two seasons with the Knights. The sophomore holds the lead with Audrey Phillips from Southern University, Kym Silagyi from Nevada and Emily deLong from Monmouth.
Lane also had her hand in helping the UCF defense to the national lead in double plays turned per game in 2009. After turning a program-record 32 double plays throughout their 54-game schedule, the Knights averaged 0.59 DPs per contest. Earlier in the season, the Black and Gold took over the top-spot from Oregon State after turning 10 double plays in a seven-game span from April 19-May 2. Oregon State finished its season with 32 double plays turned in 55 games played, good for a 0.58 average, to fall just behind UCF in second place nationally.
Senior Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.) also set a program record after turning 26 double plays this season, while freshman Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) assisted in 14 and Lane assisted in 10.
The only team still playing in the NCAA Tournament that ranks in the top-15 in double plays turned this season is North Dakota State, who sits at No. 13 on the list with a 0.46 average (26 DPs/56 GMs), so the Knights are likely to garner NCAA Division I Statistical Champion honors when the softball season comes to a close. Lane may also clinch a share of champion honors in triples as there are only two players that rank in the top 20 that are still playing games, one each from Stanford and Washington that each has five triples on the year.
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.
-UCF-