Feb. 28, 2014
Final Stats
="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported"> ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported"> UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
Related Content
+ UCF Holiday Inn Tournament
+ UCF vs. SIUE Stats
+ UCF vs. SIUE Box Score
+ UCF vs. Princeton Stats
+ UCF vs. Princeton Box Score
+ Photo Gallery
+ VIDEO: Coach Gillispie, OF Goodman, OF Garcia
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - After an eight inning, 3-2, loss to SIUE, the UCF Softball team bounced back to end a five-game losing skid with a 4-0 victory against Princeton on Friday afternoon. Freshman outfielder Linnea Goodman went 6-for-7 with a double, triple and two RBI in the twin bill to open the Holiday Inn Tournament at the UCF Softball Complex.
The Knights saw a combined three-hit shutout against Princeton (0-1) by sophomore Shelby Turnier, who improved to 5-1, and freshman Lena Springer, who threw a perfect seventh. Turnier tossed the first six innings with nine strikeouts
Sophomore outfielder Mariah Garcia and freshman first baseman Andrea Neswiacheny made immediate contributions for the Knights in their first starts of the season. Garcia tallied three hits and a pair of RBI, while Neswiacheny registered two base knocks including the eventual game-winning run vs. the Tigers on her first career hit.
Also picking up a pair of hits for the Knights was junior outfielder Maddy Schroeder vs. Princeton.
The first game saw seven scoreless innings before SIUE (4-11) opened the scoring with three runs in the eighth. UCF had the game-tying run on base in the bottom half, but was unable to mount a comeback.
The Knights continue the UCF Holiday Inn Classic on Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. contest against College of Charleston. A second meeting with SIUE is on the docket at 8 p.m. to conclude the weekend.
Game One: SIUE 3, UCF 2
Following a two-run single by Allison Smiley in the eighth, the Cougars put a three-spot up on a game-winning single to shallow right by Haley Chambers. The hit chased junior pitcher Mackenzie Audas (4-5), who fanned eight, from the circle as Turnier finished off the frame.
UCF immediately put runners on the corners in the bottom of the eight with a Goodman infield base hit, which moved the runner placed on second, junior outfielder Kahley Novak, to third. A productive ground out by freshman shortstop Brittany Solis brought home the Knights first run.
Garcia brought the Knights within one run of tying on a single up the middle before the Cougars ended the game with a foul out to third.
SIUE out-hit the Knights 10-to-5 with Chelsea Yankolovich tallying three base knocks, while Chambers added two. Goodman went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Knights, her first career three-hit game.
UCF left seven runners on base through regulation, including the bases loaded in the third. Novak singled to left before Goodman doubled to center with one out. A walk filled the bases before the Cougars retired the side.
Game Two: UCF 4, SIUE 0
A diving catch by junior outfielder Maddy Schroeder ended the Tigers' half of the second inning. The Knights saw Garcia double down the left field line. Princeton notched a double play on a fly ball tracked down by the right fielder and throw to second.
The Knights opened the scoring in the third as Schroeder singled up the middle and took second on a defensive mistake. A sacrifice bunt from Turnier moved the runner to third before Neswiacheny knocked her in on a single through the right side.
Following a stolen base, Goodman delivered a single to right center to put UCF up 2-0.
UCF had another opportunity in the fourth as junior third baseman Farrah Sullivan singled through the right side and Schroeder drew a walk. The Tigers turned their second double play on a liner to short and toss to second.
A pair of insurance runs for the Knights were tacked on in the fifth on a Goodman triple down the left field line and Garcia single up the middle.
Princeton posted its third double play of the game in the sixth on a hard liner to short off the bat of Turnier caught the runner off the bag.