Feb. 14, 2014
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF freshman outfielder Linnea Goodman tallied four hits, three RBI and two assists as the Knights secured a 5-1 win over UIC and 2-1 victory against Middle Tennessee on Friday at the UCF Softball Complex. The 5-0 start for the Knights ties the mark that the 2004 squad set.
Junior pitcher Mackenzie Audas (3-0) picked up a win vs. the Flames (1-6), striking out two in four innings. The Knights 5-1 cushion enabled for sophomore Jamie Ujvari and freshman Lena Springer to see action as the duo combined to fan two over three frames.
A nine-strikeout performance was tossed by sophomore hurler Shelby Turnier (2-0) in 6.1 innings against Middle Tennessee. Audas came in with the bases loaded and notched her first save of the season by fanning one and forcing a ground out.
Multi-hit games were notched by sophomore second baseman Kaitlyn Steckel with three vs. UIC and classmate catcher Kalyn Cenal with a pair against Middle Tennessee.
The Knights defense turned a pair of double plays, one in each game, as Goodman made a diving stab and threw the ball to second vs. Middle Tennessee. Freshman shortstop Brittany Solis turned an unassisted double play against UIC.
UCF continues play in the Holiday Inn Classic on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against James Madison and 6 p.m. vs. Florida A&M, while action begins at 9 a.m. with James Madison taking on UIC. The Knights have cancelled their pair of games on Sunday after Delaware was unable to make it to Orlando.
Game One: UCF 5, UIC 1
In the bottom of the first, a one-out infield single by Goodman started the Knights off and junior third baseman Farrah Sullivan doubled into the right center field gap to put two runners in scoring position. A pair of walks issued to sophomore first baseman Samantha McCloskey and Solis forced home first run of the game.
The Knights extended the advantage to 2-0 in the second on a RBI single by Goodman following a walk to sophomore designated player Brittanne Gasser, bunt single by Steckel and sac bunt by junior center fielder Kahley Novak.
With a runner on first base for the Flames, Goodman fired a dart to third base after a base knock for the final out in the top of the third inning.
Steckel began the fourth for the Knights with a double to the fence in left center. A bunt single by Novak and throwing mistake brought home the first run of the frame.
Coming through with her second run producing at bat of the contest was Novak. Sophomore catcher Kalyn Cenal increased the advantage to 5-0 on a sac fly down the right field line.
The Flames cut the deficit to 5-1 in the fifth on a RBI single by Courtney Heeley, scoring Jacki Fletcher, who reached after being plunked by a pitch.
Converting a pinch hit opportunity in the sixth was freshman Kaleigh Singleton, who connected on a bloop single to right for her first collegiate hit.
Elaine Heflin started for the Flames and fanned one over the first four innings before Bridget Boyle completed the game, yielding two hits over the final two frames.
Game Two: UCF 2, Middle Tennessee 1
UCF pushed across the first run on a run-scoring groundout by Turnier in the second inning. Cenal led off with a single to right before pinch runner Taylor Wagner stole second and eventually came around to score.
Goodman tacked on the game-winning run in the third on a single up the middle that scored Steckel, who reached on an error.
After Middle Tennessee had a pair of hits in the fourth, the Knights responded with Solis leading off with an infield single. Turnier notched a base hit before a sac bunt by Gasser moved the runners into scoring position, but UCF would be unable to extend its lead.
Goodman stopped a Blue Raiders' rally in the sixth by making a diving catch in left and tossed the ball to second to double off the runner.
Middle Tennessee loaded the bases in the seventh on a walk and pair of singles to chase Turnier from the circle. After a wild pitch by Audas cut the UCF lead to 2-1, the Plant City, Fla., native was able to retire the side with a strikeout and ground out.
Kayla Toney paced the Blue Raiders offense with two hits, while Jordyn Fisherback tossed a complete game, yielding seven hits and striking out seven.