May 6, 2012
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (UCFAthletics.com) - The much-anticipated showdown between Mackenzie Audas and Andi Williamson lived up to expectations Sunday as both pitchers threw nine scoreless innings before a Thundering Herd solo home run won the game in the 10th at Dot Hicks Field.
UCF ended its regular season with a 39-16 overall record and a 15-9 mark in league play. The Knights will open the conference tournament as the No. 4 seed on Thursday against No. 5 Houston. The game time is to be determined.
Freshman Mackenzie Audas lost her bid at a perfect game in the bottom of the fifth when Marshall led off the inning with a single through the right side. The Herd (34-20, 15-9) threatened later in the inning after a walk, but junior Alena Murgatroyd threw out a potential base stealer at third to end the threat.
Overall, Audas went nine innings and allowed just five hits and two walks while striking out six. Her counterpart Williamson, who pitched all 24 innings in the series, went 10 innings and gave up six hits and four walks while also striking out six. The two leading candidates for C-USA Pitcher of the Year exchanged the conference lead in strikeouts throughout the game, but it was Audas who finished the regular season with the crown. She totaled 254 strikeouts, and Williamson recorded 253.
The Black and Gold had a golden opportunity in the top of the fifth when freshman Madeline Schroeder and senior Tawny Swan hit back-to-back singles to open the frame. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position with no outs; however, the Knights were unable to score as a lineout, groundout and strikeout ended the inning.
In the bottom of the eighth, Marshall threatened after getting two runners on with two outs. The Herd successfully pulled off a double steal of second and third and Murgatroyd's throw to third sailed into shallow left. The runner on third broke for home, but Schroeder threw her out by three feet to end the inning.
UCF fans can follow all of the action from the conference tournament 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.