March 13, 2014
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - A three-run first inning was all that UCF sophomore pitcher Shelby Turnier needed in leading the Knights to a 3-0 victory over No. 22 Notre Dame on Thursday night. The Knights bounced back after a 9-5 loss to FIU to open the day at the UCF Softball Complex.
Turnier (11-1) fanned six and yielded just two hits before the Irish loaded the bases on a trio of singles in the seventh with one out. The Palm Beach Gardens native was up to the task in inducing a groundout and pop up, which landed in the glove of freshman shortstop Brittany Solis, to keep Notre Dame (17-5) off the scoreboard.
The Knights' pitcher, who is the reigning American Pitcher of the Week, has tallied a 5-0 mark during a scoreless streak that covers 31.0 innings, dating back to March 5 against Jacksonville.
The big first inning for the Knights began with the first of two base hits by junior outfielder Kahley Novak, who took second on a groundout. Junior third baseman Farrah Sullivan, who was moved up to the third slot, singled up the middle to put the Knights up 1-0.
Sophomore designated player Jessica Ujvari continued the rally with a single through the right side, and a stolen base by freshman pinch runner Blaire Kelly put two runners into scoring position. Sophomore outfielder Mariah Garcia, who notched a pair of hits, added the first insurance run on an RBI single through the left side to extend the advantage to 2-0, which chased the starter Rachel Naslund (2-1).
The relief pitcher Allie Rhodes was able to get Notre Dame out of the inning on a sac fly by junior first baseman Samantha McCloskey that turned into a double play. Kelley crossed the plate before the second out was recorded on the runner attempting to advance to third.
After a pair of 3-2 walks were drawn by the Irish in the first two frames, Jenna Simon opened the third with a single to short. Turnier sent down the Notre Dame offense in order over the next two frames to setup the dramatic seventh inning.
The Knights were kept in check by Rhodes over the final 5.2 innings. She tallied two strikeouts and yielded two hits.
In game one, the Knights opened the scoring in the third as Novak pulled a liner for a triple down the right field line to score Sullivan, who began the frame with one of her three base hits, a single up the middle. Finding a hole in shallow right center was freshman outfielder Linnea Goodman to stretch the UCF lead to 2-0.
After a Je. Ujvari base knock, FIU ended the UCF threat with a double play on a line out to second.
The Panthers took the momentum of the double play and two leadoff walks to plate five runs on four hits in the fourth. Clutch back-to-back doubles were registered by Krys Garcia and Aleim Lopez.
A walk issued to Solis began the Knights fourth before a two-out double off the fence in left by Sullivan scored freshman pinch runner Andrea Neswiacheny. UCF came within one run, 5-4, on a fielder's choice off the bat of pinch hitter Turnier.
FIU pushed its lead back to 7-4 on a two-run round tripper to left center by Gabby Spallone.
Freshman Lena Springer, who came on in relief of losing pitcher Mackenzie Audas (7-8) during the fourth, struck out the side in the sixth for the Knights.
UCF got one run back in the bottom-half on a double into the left center gap that scored sophomore catcher Kalyn Cenal from first base, but the Knights stranded a runner on third, 7-5.
The Panthers extended their lead to 9-5 on a two-run single by Lopez up the middle with the bases loaded. Center fielder Garcia cut down a runner at third for the second out.
Corinne Jenkins (10-2) registered five strikeouts in the complete-game victory for FIU. Lopez tallied two hits and four RBI, while Garcia matched Sullivan with a three-hit game.
After a weekend off due to a bye in American play, the Knights welcome Marist and the Netherlands National Team in a Monday doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. The two UCF teams will square off at 1 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex.