Feb. 19, 2012
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By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team once again lost a tight game on Sunday, this time to Oregon State, 2-1, on the third and final day of the 22nd Annual Campbell/Cartier Classic at the University of San Diego. The Knights (4-5) dropped four games over the weekend in their opponent's final at-bat, with three losses coming by one run each.
Freshman Mackenzie Audas (Plant City, Fla.) made her third start of the weekend for the Knights and pitched her third-consecutive complete game loss. The young hurler worked her way out of jams throughout the game, including a bases-loaded one-out situation in the bottom of the fifth. Despite allowing nine base runners, Audas only allowed two unearned runs, recorded five strikeouts and lowered her season ERA to 1.15.
Junior Marissa Menendez (Tampa, Fla.) recorded the first hit of the game for the Knights in the fourth when she ripped a two-out opposite field double down the left field line. Menendez is hitting a team best .333 through nine games. The Knights' cleanup hitter has hit safely in eight of the first nine games this season.
The Beavers (7-3) got on the board first in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Audas walked the leadoff hitter and she advanced to third after a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt. The Beavers then hit a sacrifice fly into left which plated the unearned run and gave Oregon State a 1-0 lead.
The Black and Gold finally broke through in the fifth when senior Vanessa Perez (San Diego, Calif.) led off the inning with a walk. Perez was advanced over to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Lindsey Selmer (Pembroke Pines, Fla.). Senior Tawny Swan (Gilbert, Ariz.) then ripped a single and advanced to second on the throw to make it second and third with just one out for the Knights. Freshman Kahley Novak (Clermont, Fla.) then hit a chopper to third that was bobbled by Beavers and allowed Perez to score from third to tie the game.
Junior Danielle Brewer (Apopka, Fla.) showed off her plate discipline when she drew her second walk of the game to lead off the sixth inning. Brewer leads the Knights with five walks on the season. Overall the Knights drew a season-high four walks against the Beavers.
Oregon State took the lead that they would not relinquish in the bottom of the sixth inning. With a runner on third base and two outs, the Knights dropped a fly ball in the outfield which allowed the go-ahead run to score unearned. UCF could not tie the game in the top half of the seventh and the Beavers took home the victory.
The Knights return to action on Wednesday for their first non-conference road game when they travel to Tallahassee to face Florida State. UCF fans can listen to the action online via Knights All-Access with the play-by-play radio voice of the Knights, Eric Lopez. Fans can also follow all the action on UCFAthletics.com Gametracker as well as www.twitter.com/UCF_Softball.
The Black and Gold will play 30 home games at the UCF Softball Complex, with season tickets for the 2012 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.