April 1, 2010
| Game Day Essentials UCF vs. East Carolina |
| Where ? UCF Softball Complex (600) Orlando, Fla. Schedule ? 5:00 p.m. Saturday, April 3 Team Records Series Record Promotions |
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Two days after shattering its single-game attendance record, the UCF softball team returns to the UCF Softball Complex this weekend when it hosts Conference USA-foe East Carolina for a three-game series. Action begins Friday afternoon with a 3 p.m. doubleheader and comes to a close Saturday with a 12 p.m. contest.
The Knights enter the series atop the league standings with a 7-1 record after sweeping both Houston and Southern Miss, while the Pirates trail close behind in a tie for second place in the standings with a 2-1 C-USA clip following a series win over Marshall last weekend.
The two teams have competed against one another 14 times in the all-time series, with East Carolina holding a 12-2 advantage over host UCF. The Black and Gold's only two wins over the Pirates have come at the UCF Softball Complex, which includes a regular-season win in 2008 and a C-USA Championship contest victory in 2007.
The Knights look to improve on their series record against ECU, as well as their C-USA-best league record this weekend, however, as they have been riding a hot streak in recent weeks.
Wednesday night, UCF nearly upset No. 6 Florida at the UCF Softball Complex, taking the hard-hitting Gators into extra innings in front of a UCF record 1,091 fans, before falling, 4-3, in the ninth. But, prior to that loss, the Knights had won four-straight contests and eight of their last nine.
During the stretch of eight wins, the Black and Gold defeated Southern Miss in three-games, Cornell, No. 22 Ohio State and posted three-consecutive victories over Houston.
The main battle in this weekend's series is likely to be in the circle, as last week's C-USA Co-Pitchers of the Week, UCF senior Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) and ECU junior Toni Paisley, will be going head-to-head.
Cole earned the league honor after posting a 3-0 record with a win over the Buckeyes and two over the Golden Eagles, while Paisley garnered the distinction with the same record and two victories over Marshall and one against NC Central.
The pair of hurlers nearly mirror each other statistically, with Cole entering the series with a team-leading 14-7 record, 1.48 ERA and three shutouts, and Paisley traveling to Orlando with a 12-7 record, 1.74 ERA and five shutouts.
Besides the excitement on the field, the Knights will be providing fans excitement in the stands as well this weekend, as the Black and Gold will be handing out reusable UCF "Go Green" grocery bags to the first 150 fans at Friday's doubleheader. Saturday, the Knights will hold an Easter egg hunt for kids 12 and under following the 12 p.m. contest, while UCF Softball Bingo will also be in full swing for all games of the series.
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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