April 11, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (UCFAthletics.com) - Senior Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) was remarkable both in the circle and at the plate Sunday afternoon, as she fired a two-hit complete-game shutout on the mound and blasted a solo home run in the second inning to lead the UCF softball team to a 1-0 victory and a Conference USA sweep at Marshall (18-22, 3-12 C-USA).
Sunday's win improved the Knights' record to 25-17 on the year and 10-4 in league. The C-USA sweep was the third for UCF in 2010 and the second-consecutive on the road. The squad has now taken three games from Houston, Southern Miss and Marshall this season.
Cole improved to 16-10 on the season with the win, allowing only two hits while holding the Thundering Herd scoreless for the fourth time this year in her 22nd complete-game outing.
Lane started the game off with a single to left field to push her season-high hitting streak to 10 games. The stretch is the longest for the Knights this season and is only one game short of her career-high, when she hit safely in 11-straight contests as a freshman in 2008.
But, it was Cole who helped her own cause and got the scoreboard flashing with her first home run of the season, a solo shot, over the left field wall to give the Black and Gold the early lead.
The blast would prove to be the game-winner, as Cole and the UCF defense would hold the Herd to only one hit through the next six innings. The hurler and her defense would retire the side in both the sixth and seventh innings, with the contest ending on a can-of-corn catch by Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) at second base.
Along with Cole and Lane, the Knights also got hits from Marissa Menendez (Tampa, Fla.) and Abby McClain (Waterloo, Iowa) in the shutout.
UCF has a short break before heading back on the road next weekend for a three-game league series at UAB.
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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