March 11, 2010
| Game Day Essentials UCF vs. Memphis |
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Having won eight of its last nine contests, the UCF softball team is looking forward continuing its hot streak this weekend as it is set to open its Conference USA schedule Friday with a 5:30 p.m. contest against Memphis at the UCF Softball Complex. The two squads will conclude the three-game series with a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.
The first 150 fans through the gate for the C-USA opener Friday will receive a free UCF softball t-shirt, courtesy of the UCF Athletics Marketing office, while spectators may also partake in UCF Softball Bingo all weekend long, with numerous prizes available.
Despite holding a dismal 1-11 record all-time in its C-USA opening weekend, UCF holds a 7-5 advantage when facing off against the Tigers. Last season, the Knights won the three-game battle in Memphis with a doubleheader sweep on April 25.
The series versus the Tigers this weekend takes place in the midst of the Knights' season-long 17-game homestand. Through seven games of the stretch, the Black and Gold has posted a nearly flawless 6-1 record, which included a 5-1 win over UConn Wednesday.
Against the Huskies, Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) extended her C-USA career triples record to 21 three-baggers after hitting a RBI triple in the fourth inning. The speedy lefty entered the week tied for the league record with DePaul's Sarah Martz with 19 triples, but claimed the record as her own with a sixth-inning triple against Maine Tuesday afternoon. Lane then distanced herself from the competition even more with a triple Wednesday.
The junior is now only four triples away from breaking into the NCAA record book, as seven players are currently tied for 23rd on the register with 25 career triples, and with six on the season, is only four away from matching and five away from topping the C-USA single-season mark of 10 triples.
In that contest against the Huskies, junior Ashley Schmitt (Tampa, Fla.) picked up her first win in the circle in her inaugural start as a Knight. The hurler allowed only one run on three hits, while striking out two in a complete-game outing.
Also helping the Knights out in the mid-week win was senior Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.). The third baseman hit her third home run of the year in the victory over UConn, a three-run shot, to add to her already team-best 15 RBI this season.
Barrow also leads the squad with five doubles, three home runs and a .492 slugging percentage in 2010, while junior Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) continues to pace UCF offensively with a .321 batting average, 15 runs scored, a .473 on-base percentage and 13 walks.
Memphis enters this weekend's series with a 10-7 record on the year after splitting a doubleheader at North Florida Wednesday afternoon in Jacksonville. In their last seven outings the Tigers have posted a 4-3 record, which included wins over the Ospreys, Jacksonville, Loyola and Virginia Tech. Senior Leigh Rowan has been providing the bulk of the offensive production for Memphis, hitting at team-best .420 with 21 hits and 14 RBI, while freshman Carly Hummel has seen the most time in the circle for the visitors. In just her first season, Hummel holds a 6-3 record with a 1.30 ERA and 75 strikeouts.
Season tickets for the 2010 season are only $40 and are on sale now, while single-game tickets are also available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or through the Athletics Ticket Office by calling (407) 823-1000.
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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