April 20, 2010
| Game Day Essentials UCF vs. Bethune-Cookman Friends of Jaclyn Day |
| Where ? UCF Softball Complex (600) Orlando, Fla. Schedule Team Records Series Record Promotions |
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team returns to the friendly confines of the UCF Softball Complex following a six-game road swing this week as it host Bethune-Cookman Wednesday in non-conference action. First pitch for the contest, which coincides with Friends of Jaclyn Day, is set for 5 p.m.
The Knights will formally adopt Kay Clark through the Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) Foundation, which is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families.
The organization matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. Kay's formal adoption will take place after the Knights' contest against the Wildcats, with the nine-year-old throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
UCF enters the match up with a 26-19 record on the season following a Conference USA victory over UAB on the road Sunday, while Bethune-Cookman makes the trip to Orlando with a 22-20 overall record on the year.
The meeting between the two squads will be the 18th all-time, with the Knights holding a 13-4 advantage over the Wildcats. The Black and Gold has won the last six contests against Bethune-Cookman, with its last lost coming in 2006. During the six-game stretch, UCF has outscored the Wildcats, 41-5, which included an 18-2 home victory in 2007 and a pair of shutout wins last season.
Sophomore Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) paces the Black and Gold with a .296 batting average, 37 hits, 12 sacrifice hits and 16 stolen bases, while junior Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) is right on her tail with a .293 batting average and nine stolen bases. The speedy shortstop leads the team with eight doubles, six triples and a .466 slugging percentage.
In the circle, senior Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) continues to prove why she is among the top pitchers in C-USA, as she ranks first in innings pitched (186.2), third in ERA (1.50) and wins (17) and sixth in opposing batting average (.199).
The Wildcats are led offensively by Allison Garcia, who is batting .384 with 48 hits, seven home runs and 34 RBI, while she also paces the squad in the circle. On the year, Garcia holds a 16-12 record in 191.1 total innings pitched for Bethune-Cookman.
The Knights are 15-13 in non-conference contests in 2010, picking up wins over No. 11 Tennessee, No. 9 Alabama and No. 22 Ohio State, among others.
The first 200 fans to the contest Wednesday will receive a pack of UCF softball player cards. The UCF softball team will be hosting its 2010 Senior Day Sunday, April 25 when it hosts Tulsa in league action at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights will be paying tribute to their five seniors: Hillary Barrow (Miami, Fla.), Morgan Bullard (Columbia, S.C.), Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.), Kristina DeMello (Mead, Wash.) and Mary Helen Tyler (Marianna, Fla.).
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-