April 13, 2014
Final Stats
Post by UCF Softball - Knights Athletics Page.
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By Nate Blythe
UCFKnights.com
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TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - In a classic pitcher's duel, UCF junior Mackenzie Audas posted one of her strongest performances of the season in upending USF ace Sarah Nevins and the Bulls, 2-1, on Sunday at the USF Softball Stadium. The victory secured the series win for the Knights against in-state rival USF.
The contest was scoreless through six innings as the Audas matched Nevins, a Top 25 finalist for USA Softball Player of the Year, pitch-for-pitch.
A double to the fence in left center by sophomore designated player Jessica Ujvari started off UCF (30-13, 7-2 The American) in the seventh. Moving freshman pinch runner Andrea Neswiacheny to third was sophomore first baseman Samantha McCloskey with a sacrifice bunt.
Following a walk issued to sophomore catcher Kalyn Cenal, classmate Mariah Garcia worked a six pitch at bat, where she fouled five off, before driving a double into the right-center gap. Cenal, a Tampa, native, came all the way around to score from first, providing a big insurance run for the Knights, 2 -0.
USF (30-13, 4-5 The American) battled back in the seventh with a leadoff single by Kourtney Salvarola to short. A single to center field by Stephanie Medina that was misplayed enabled for the Bulls to cut the deficit to 2-1.
With no outs and the game-tying run on second, Audas forced a foul out to left before posting her third strikeout of the game. The Plant City native improved to 14-8 on the season by forcing pinch hitter DeAnna Devine to groundout.
Nevins for the Bulls fell to 18-7 on the season and tallied seven strikeouts after winning game one of the series, 4-0.
The Knights scattered four hits over the first six innings. Sophomore second baseman Kirsten Foster posted her first base knock of the season, while freshman outfielder Linnea Goodman, Cenal and Garcia also picked up hits.
UCF turned its 13th double play of the season after a single by Medina with one away in the fourth. Freshman third baseman Brittany Solis stared a 5-6-3 double play that was turned by junior shortstop Kahley Novak to end the frame.
The Knights travel to Daytona Beach on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. contest at Bethune Cookman. UCF returns home on Friday for a doubleheader against Louisville at 3 p.m.