March 14, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After losing the lead in top half of the sixth, the UCF softball team scored two runs in its final at-bat to narrowly defeat Northern Illinois 3-2 in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday at the UCF Softball Complex.
Confident after their comeback, the Knights (19-9, 1-2 Conference USA) easily handled Iona 6-1 in the second game to sweep the doubleheader.
UCF has won three straight games as it returns to conference play this weekend at Southern Miss. The Knights and Golden Eagles will play a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Saturday and a single game at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Game 1 - UCF 3, Northern Illinois 2 - Box Score
Down 2-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, UCF rallied and scored two runs to defeat the Huskies 3-2. Freshman Farrah Sullivan (Waynesboro, Miss.) opened the inning with a single, and junior Alena Murgatroyd (Lancaster, Calif.) walked. Both runners then moved into scoring position on a passed ball.
On the same play, the Huskies' catcher threw the ball into left field as she tried to nail the runner at third base. The mistake was compounded for the Huskies when the left fielder let the errant throw get past her. Those two errors allowed both unearned runs to score.
Earlier in the game, freshman Hayley Barrow (Miami, Fla.) picked up her first hit and first RBI of the season. Her single through the left side scored the Knights' first run in the third inning. Barrow made her first start of the season at catcher and handled the position well.
Senior Ali Schmidt (Plant City, Fla.) improved her record to 6-2 after picking up the complete-game victory. Schmidt allowed only four hits and two runs while striking out four. She lowered her season ERA to 1.51.
Game 2 - UCF 6, Iona 1 - Box Score
Junior Alex Hartshorn (Tampa, Fla.) improved to 5-2 on the season as she won her second start in as many days. Hartshorn pitched the first complete game of her career, allowing only one unearned run and striking out five. She continued to show strong command, as she did not walk a batter. She has walked only nine all season.
Sometimes overshadowed by Schmidt and freshman Mackenzie Audas (Plant City, Fla.) with ERAs of 1.49 and 1.51, Hartshorn has shown she is a solid No. 3 starter for the Black and Gold. She lowered her ERA to 2.57 on the season.
Senior Natalie Land (Mayo, Fla.) went 1-for-4 with 3 RBI and a run scored for the Knights. She also stole two bases on the day and is now 16-for-18 on the year in stolen-base attempts. Land leads the Knights in hits, runs, triples and stolen bases for the season.
Senior Vanessa Perez (San Diego, Calif.) continued her hot hitting as she went 1-3 with 2 RBI. Perez hit an RBI double in the third inning that hit the top of the left-field wall and gave the Knights a 1-0 lead. Perez's double was just inches away from being her first home run of the season.
The Knights have 13 home games remaining at the UCF Softball Complex. UCF fans can follow all of the action on UCF All-Access with live video and audio. Fans can also follow on the UCFAthletics.com Gametracker as well as www.twitter.com/UCF_Softball.
Season tickets for the 2012 season cost $25. Tickets are available for purchase online at UCFAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) 823-1000.