UCF Softball Takes Two in Opener

Feb. 7, 2014

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com


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+ UCF Knights Invitational
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - On the one-year anniversary of her father's passing, one of UCF's EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS junior third baseman Farrah Sullivan registered a walk-off single to lift the Knights to a 3-2 win over LIU Brooklyn on Friday afternoon at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights notched a 1-0 triumph against Kansas behind a two-hit shutout by junior Mackenzie Audas, who fanned 10 batters.

The Knights (1-0) found themselves down one run entering the final at bat against the Blackbirds (0-2). Sophomore pinch hitter Jessica Ujvari beat out an infield base hit to open the door for UCF.

A bunt single by leadoff hitter junior second baseman Kahley Novak put the pressure right back on the LIU Brooklyn hurler Shelly Procter, who responded by striking out the next batter.

With one out left in the game, Sullivan came to the plate and worked a 2-1 count before delivering a base hit up the middle just past the diving second baseman. Junior pinch runner Maddy Schroeder crossed the plate before the throw from centerfield was received by the catcher Nicole Toven.

The throw to third base by Toven went into left field allowing for Novak to come around and score the game-winning run.

After a rough first inning that allowed LIU Brooklyn to plate a pair of runs, sophomore pitcher Shelby Turnier kept the Blackbirds off the scoreboard. The Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., native allowed three hits the rest of the way and fanned six.

Novak and Sullivan each notched multi-hit games for the Knights, while LIU saw Whitney West and Kayla Gloady register a pair of base knocks.

In game two, Schroeder tallied the only UCF hit, a triple, on a line shot to the right center field wall. She came around to score the only run of the game on a throwing error by the second baseman.

The one-run lead would stand up behind an outstanding pitching performance behind Audas. The Plant City, Fla., native went the distance, only allowing five runners to reach base.

The pitching saw the Jayhawks' Kelsey Kessler total seven strikeouts in six innings.

The first bump in the road for Audas came in the fifth as Chanin Naudin forced a 14-pitch at bat before grounding out to third. Audas ended the frame with her seventh strikeout of the night.

Kansas moved two runners into scoring position on a walk and bloop single down the left field line by Maddie Stein. Audas was up to the task in fanning a hitter and forcing a ground out to end the sixth.

Back-to-back strikeouts to end the game provided Audas with her first victory of the season.

The Knights battle Chattanooga at 1:30 p.m. before facing South Dakota at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The UCF Knights Invitational continues on Saturday with the first game featuring Chattanooga vs. LIU at 9 a.m.