April 8, 2013
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF sophomore Mackenzie Audas has been named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday, after she tossed a five-inning no-hitter and struck out 38 batters, including a C-USA single-game record-tying 17 against UTEP and 11 against No. 3 Florida.
The Knights' ace earned her fourth-career Pitcher of the Week honor as she led all C-USA pitchers in innings (24), strikeouts (38) and wins (3) this week.
On Sunday, Audas had a record-setting performance. Her 17 strikeouts were the most by any C-USA pitcher this season and also tied the all-time record for strikeouts in a conference game. Audas allowed just five hits and two runs over 11 innings of work, also a career-high. It was her third victory of the series as the Knights earned their first weekend sweep of the season.
Audas opened her week dropping a narrow 2-1 decision to No. 3 Florida. However, she allowed just two hits in five innings and struck out 11 hitters. Coming into the contest the Gators were hitting .291 as a team and were fourth in the nation with 52 home runs, yet only managed a pair of singles off Audas.
The Knights then went into a conference slate against UTEP and Audas had perhaps the best all-around series of her career. The Plant City native spun her second-career no hitter in game one as she allowed just a pair of walks to go along with eight strikeouts over five innings in the Knights' 8-0 victory.
In game two of Saturday's doubleheader, she entered the game to open the 5th inning with the score tied at two. She tossed three innings of one-hit relief and earned her second victory of the day as UCF won, 3-2.
Audas and the Knights will return to action Wednesday when UCF travels to Miami to take on FIU at 6 p.m.