May 3, 2010
| Game Day Essentials UCF vs. Jacksonville |
| Where ? UCF Softball Complex (600) Orlando, Fla. Schedule Team Records Series Record |
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following a week-long hiatus, the UCF softball team returns to the diamond Tuesday when it welcomes Jacksonville to the UCF Softball Complex for its final home contest of the season. First pitch for the game is set for 5 p.m.
The Knights enter their final non-conference contest of 2010 with a 29-20 overall record, which includes a 16-13 record against non-league opponents, while the Dolphins make the trip to Orlando with a 32-18 overall mark after splitting a doubleheader at Mercer Friday afternoon.
In the all-time series, UCF holds a 10-1 advantage over its former Atlantic Sun-foe. The Black and Gold is 5-1 when taking on the Dolphins at home, a flawless 4-0 when playing in Jacksonville and earned the victory in the squads' only post-season meeting at the ASun Tournament in Boca Raton during its run to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2005.
Senior Ashleigh Cole (Pace, Fla.) has been one of the main reasons for the Knights' success this season, as the hurler boasts an 18-12 record in the circle, while holding a 1.42 ERA with four shutouts and 133 strikeouts in 202.2 innings of work. Cole is 1-0 in her career when facing the Dolphins, posting the win last season after holding Jacksonville hitless and scoreless, while striking out three, in 3.1 innings of relief.
Two additional keys for UCF's impressive season are infielders Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.). Combined, the duo has accounted for 81 hits, 41 runs scored, 13 doubles, six triples, 28 RBI and 26 stolen bases for the Black and Gold. Lane leads the squad with a .305 batting average, while Land is right on her heels with a .301 average on the year.
Freshman Marissa Menendez (Tampa, Fla.) has also been productive in recent outings, as the first baseman is batting .344 with 11 hits, two doubles and five RBI in her last 10 outings. The freshman is currently fifth on the team with a .245 batting average and 34 hits.
The Dolphins are paced at the plate by Kayla Ouellet, who is batting .356 with 58 hits, 31 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. In the circle, Ashley Iveson has seen the most time for Jacksonville, carrying a 16-7 record into the Tuesday afternoon contest. The hurler has a 1.72 ERA, eight shutouts and 164 strikeouts on the season in 142.1 innings of work.
The UCF softball team is set to compete in the Conference USA Championship hosted by Houston on May 13-15. The top eight teams in league standings will participate in the single-elimination tournament, with the winning team earning C-USA's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
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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