March 16, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
HOUSTON, Texas. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team had a rollercoaster day as it split a doubleheader against Houston on Saturday at Cougar Softball Stadium. The Knights (16-13, 1-4 Conference USA) defeated the Cougars (15-8, 4-1) in come-from-behind fashion, 4-3, in game one before dropping a 4-0 decision in the second game of the afternoon. UCF will look to win the series in tomorrow's rubber match.
Fans not in Houston can check out tomorrow's series finale at 1 p.m. ET by tuning in on UCF All-Access with live audio featuring the voice of UCF Softball, Eric Lopez. Others can also follow UCFAthletics.com's Gametracker as well as www.twitter.com/UCF_Softball for in-game coverage.
Game One: UCF 4, Houston 3 - Box Score
Trailing 3-2 with two outs in the top of the sixth, sophomore Hayley Barrow came up with the biggest hit of her young career as she smacked a go-ahead, two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field. It was déjà vu for the Knights as Barrow's sister and current UCF assistant coach, Hillary Barrow, also hit a home run off the exact same spot of the scoreboard in the 2008 C-USA tournament quarterfinals.
The Black and Gold threatened Houston early, putting two runners on in the first and loading the bases in the second inning. After leaving all five runners on without scoring in the first two frames, UCF finally broke through in the third when sophomore Farrah Sullivan lifted a 3-1 pitch high into the air in left for a two-run homer. It was Sullivan's second long ball of the year and gave her a team-leading 14 RBI.
Sophomore Maddy Schroeder was a terror in the two hole as she reached base in all four of her plate appearances. The Jacksonville native was 2-for 2 with a pair of singles and also walked twice. Schroeder is hitting a team-high
Freshman Shelby Turnier made her first-career series opening start and was strong as she allowed just three hits and one earned run in 6.2 innings of work. Sophomore Mackenzie Audas replaced Turnier to open the fifth and recorded one out while allowing two runs on a hit and pair of walks. The Palm Beach Gardens native was reentered with one out in the fifth by head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie and finished off the last seven batters she faced to earn her ninth victory of the season.
Game Two: Houston 4, UCF 0 - Box Score
A pitcher's duel between Audas and Houston's Bailey Watts developed early in game two as the two starters combined to allow just five hits while racking up 16 strikeouts. It was Bailey, however, who was just a bit better as the Cougars earned the Saturday split with a 4-0 victory. Audas allowed four hits and three earned runs with five walks and six strikeouts in six innings of work. The Plant City native dropped her eighth decision of the season as her ERA now stands at 3.36 for the year.
The Knights best chance to rally came in the top of the sixth inning. Trailing 2-0, senior Lauren Aldridge broke up Bailey's perfect game attempt with a one-out single to left. Sophomore Kahley Novak reached on a fielder's choice and later stole her league-leading 24th base of the year to get into scoring position. After a walk by Schroeder loaded the bases with two outs, Watts buckled down and picked up a huge inning-ending strikeout to stop the rally.
The Black and Gold have 12 home games remaining at the UCF Softball Complex, with season tickets for the remainder of 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.