Feb. 13, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team was excited to play its home opener in front of a loud crowd at the UCF Softball Complex Wednesday, but North Florida and mother nature had other plans for the evening. The Knights (0-5) had to wait out a 65-minute rain delay and were unable to get their bats on track as they were shutout 2-0 by the Ospreys (4-1).
Sophomore Mackenzie Audas made her second start of the year as she continues to work back to form from an offseason injury. Audas went seven innings and allowed just three hits and two unearned runs while striking out seven. The Plant City native also made the defensive play of the young season as she made a spectacular diving catch in foul territory on a ball popped up to the left of home plate in the third.
The Black and Gold's bats were quiet all night as they managed just a pair of singles from senior Hailey Barraco and sophomore Kahley Novak. Both Barraco and Novak have shined at the plate in the early part of this season as each is hitting .400 through five games.
We have to change our approach at the plate, Novak said. We just had far too many at bats tonight where we would get ahead in the count and still be passive and defensive with our swings, myself included. When we're ahead in the court we have to be looking to really drive the ball because that's when we're going to get the best pitches to hit.
The Knights return to action Friday on the opening day of the UCF Holiday Inn Select invitational against UT-Arlington. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. UCF will play once Friday and twice on Saturday and Sunday.
The Black and Gold have 27 home games remaining at the UCF Softball Complex, with season tickets for the 2013 season costing only $30. Single game and season tickets are available for purchase online at UCFAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com, or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.