Feb. 15, 2014
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF sophomore pitcher Shelby Turnier tied the program's seven-inning strikeout record with 15 and tallied the game-winning RBI triple in the last at bat to post a 1-0 victory over Florida A&M in the night cap on Saturday. The Knights came from behind earlier in the day against James Madison when junior outfielder Kahley Novak scored the go-ahead run on an errant throw for a walk-off 3-2 triumph at the UCF Softball Complex.
The 7-0 start is the first in the history of program that made its debut in 2002. Five wins to begin a campaign was the previous record set by the 2004 squad.
Turnier's 15 strikeouts were the fourth time a Knights' hurler hit that number in a regulation game with standout Allison Kime accomplishing the feat three times in the memorable 2008 season at Bethune-Cookman (4/20/08) and UTEP (4/13/08) and vs. Vermont (3/1/08). The program's strikeout record is 18 in 12 innings by Kime at Florida State (3/26/07).
Improving to 4-0 in the circle was junior pitcher Mackenzie Audas, who tossed a complete game against the Dukes, who took an early 2-0 lead in the third, with six strikeouts.
The Knights saw Turnier notch her first of two triples and sophomore catcher Kalyn Cenal connect on a double vs. James Madison. Freshman left fielder Linnea Goodman, Cenal and Novak added a pair of base knocks.
Recording a 2-for-2 outing against the Rattlers was sophomore first baseman Samantha McCloskey.
After opening the season with seven home games, UCF hits the road on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. showdown with No. 12 Florida State. The competition ramps up more during the weekend with the Knights facing host No. 6 Alabama twice in the Easton Bama Bahs.
The third of four tournaments hosted by UCF is set for Feb. 28-Mar. 1 with the Knights returning to the UCF Softball Complex for a doubleheader vs. SIUE and Princeton at 10 a.m.
Game One: UCF 3, James Madison 2
James Madison, who competed in the 2013 NCAA Knoxville Regional, threatened in the first with Mimi Morris leading off with a bunt single, which was followed by a Caitlin Sandy base knock to left center. Audas settled down and registered a pair of strikeouts and a fly out.
After an infield base hit by Goodman in the first inning, Turnier lined a ball into the right-center gap for a two-out ripple, but would be stranded on a groundout to end the second.
The Dukes pushed across a pair of runs on a two-RBI double down the left field line with two outs by Erica Field during the third.
In the bottom-half, UCF had an opportunity to cut into the deficit as Novak singled up the middle and Goodman hit a liner of the second baseman into left field. Novak beat the throw from the outfield to third, but Goodman was out on the play as the tag was applied by the shortstop at second base. A ground out ended the chance.
After a long 12-pitch at bat, Cenal doubled to right center for UCF to start the fourth. A sac bunt by sophomore first baseman Samantha McCloskey moved the pinch runner Mariah Garcia to third. Driving in the first run for the Knights was freshman shortstop Brittany Solis on a sacrifice fly.
The Knights loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth and knotted the contest at two on a fielding miscue off the bat of Turnier. Sullivan began the frame by being plunked by a pitch and singles were tallied by Cenal and Solis.
After reliever Heather Kiefer notched a strikeout and ground out, Audas provided the Knights with a chance to clinch the victory by registering her sixth strikeout and a pair of ground balls.
With the top of the order up for UCF in its final at bat, Novak beat-out an infield single up the middle that the shortstop cut off. Then, Goodman used a sacrifice bunt to move the Clermont, Fla., native to second. Novak alertly ran to third base with no one covering the bag and the throw from the second baseman landed in the dugout, awarding the game-winning run.
In the circle for James Madison was Jallyn Ford, who tossed 5.1 innings with two strikeouts, while Kiefer pitched the final frame with one hit and strikeout to fall to 2-3 on the campaign.
Tahli Moore led the Dukes with a pair of base knocks, while Field drove in a pair of runs.
Game Two: UCF 1, FAMU 0
Florida A&M threatened and left eight runners on base including three in the third inning and two in the first frame. Turnier was up to the task each time in registering strikeouts to retire the side.
UCF was unable to solve FAMU starter Kenya Pererira, who tossed 5.1 innings and held the Knights to three hits. Amber Fullwood (1-4) was tabbed with the loss with one strikeout in one inning of work.
Prior to the walk off in the seventh, the Knights saw six runners reach base, but two were caught stealing by the Rattlers' catcher Alexsis Sandage to halt rallies.