March 25, 2011
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By Sarah Tarasewicz
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Just three days after defeating Kent State in non-conference play, the UCF softball team is back in action this weekend as it is set to host UAB in a three-game Conference USA series at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights and the Blazers will square off in a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday, before concluding the series Sunday at 12 p.m.
Saturday's doubleheader will also serve as Alumni Day for UCF, as the Black and Gold commemorates its 10-year anniversary as a program. The first 100 fans through the gate for the double-dip will receive a free UCF softball t-shirt.
Former Knights in attendance will watch as UCF takes on the Blazers, before enjoying a post-game party at The Moat Sports Grille, which will feature a slideshow of pictures from the last 10 years courtesy of the UCF Alumni Association.
UCF enters the C-USA affair with an 11-20 overall record following its 3-2 win vs. the Golden Flashes Wednesday, while also holding a 2-4 league clip after getting swept in three games on the road at Tulsa.
Through the Knights' past four games, senior Diana Rojas (Miami, Fla.) has been impressive in the circle for the Black and Gold. The pitcher posted a 0.72 ERA and allowed only one run on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts in three relief appearances. In 2.2 innings of work vs. Kent State, Rojas was flawless, as she did not allow a single runner to reach base to earn her second save of the year. In her three relief outings, Rojas dropped her season ERA from a 4.27 to a 3.79, good for second on the team.
Junior Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) continues to lead the Knights offensively with a .356 batting average, 24 runs scored, five triples, a .611 slugging percentage, a .448 on-base percentage, six sacrifice hits and 15 stolen bases. The second baseman is also one of UCF's top hitters vs. its C-USA competition this season, boasting a .33 average with four hits, four runs scored and a team-best eight walks.
UAB makes a visit to Orlando with a 22-7 record on the season and a flawless 6-0 record in C-USA action after sweeping both then-No. 25 Houston and Southern Miss to open league play. The Blazers are led offensively by Caley Walden, who has 31 hits, 17 runs scored and eight stolen bases on the year. In the circle, Lauren Webster boasts a 9-2 record, a 0.57 ERA and 59 strikeouts, while freshman Leigh Streetman leads the squad with 75 strikeouts and three shutouts in 75.0 innings pitched.
UCF is 7-8 all-time when facing UAB, which includes a 4-2 record at the UCF Softball Complex. Last season, the Knights fell to the Blazers, 1-2 and 2-5, in its Saturday doubleheader on the road, before coming back to post a 4-3 win Sunday to close out the series.
The Knights have 10 home games remaining on their 2011 schedule, including a contest vs. in-state rival Florida State on April 6, with season tickets for the season costing only $40. Tickets are available for purchase online at UCFAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.