March 10, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Pitching dominated Saturday as UCF and Tulsa opened conference play with each team throwing a one-hitter.
The Knights jumped out early and took the opening game 4-0 behind a one-hitter from freshman Mackenzie Audas (Plant City, Fla.). The Golden Hurricane won the second game 3-0 as sophomore Amiee Creger gave up only one hit.
A much-anticipated showdown at noon Sunday between Audas and Creger, the Conference USA Preseason Pitcher of the Year, will decide which team wins the series.
Game 1 - UCF 4, Tulsa 0 - Box Score
Audas was masterful in the opening game as she took a perfect game into the fifth inning and a no-hitter into the sixth before finishing off her third one-hitter of the season.
Audas struck out nine and only walked one as she improved her record to 8-4 on the year. Audas lowered her ERA to 1.45 and increased her conference-leading strikeout total to 84. The young hurler has only allowed opposing batters to hit .174 on the year.
The Black and Gold plated four runs in the second inning to back Audas. Freshman Farrah Sullivan (Waynesboro, Miss.) led off the inning and reached after being hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt and two walks, freshman Madeline Schroeder (Jacksonville, Fla.) earned the first RBI of her career when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Senior Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) plated the Knights' second run with a single into left field, and freshman Kahley Novak (Clermont, Fla.) put the team up 3-0 with a sacrifice fly into center.
Junior Danielle Brewer (Apopka, Fla.) went 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Knights. Brewer hit singles in the first, second and fifth innings and recorded the first three-hit game of her career.
Game 2 - Tulsa 3, UCF 0 - Box Score
Senior Ali Schmidt (Cordova, Md.) pitched her eighth complete game of the season, allowing only three earned runs in seven quality innings while striking out two. However, she dropped to 5-2 on the season, as the Knights could not score and were held hitless into the seventh inning.
Tulsa's Amiee Creger was dominant and wild in her one-hit performance. The junior only allowed one hit and struck out 11 Knights, but she walked three, hit three batters and uncorked three wild pitches on the day.
The Knights had chances late in the game, but were unable to score. In the sixth, Land was hit by a pitch and Novak walked. The runners advanced to second and third after a throwing error but were stranded after a strikeout ended the threat.
In the seventh inning, the Knights picked up their only hit of the game on a single to left by senior Vanessa Perez (San Diego, Calif.). UCF loaded the bases after freshman Hayley Barrow (Miami, Fla.) was hit by a pitch with one out. However, a strikeout and groundout ended the game.
Schmidt's ERA remains a strong 1.51 on the season.
Following the Tulsa series, the Knights will have 16 home games remaining, including an April 11 contest against in-state rival Florida. Season tickets cost only $40. Tickets are available online at UCFAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.
UCF fans can follow all of the action on UCF All-Access with live video and audio. Fans also can follow UCFAthletics.com's Gametracker as well as www.twitter.com/UCF_Softball.