Feb. 21, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
HONOLULU, Hawaii (UCFKnights.com) - Senior Mackenzie Audas tied her career-high for strikeouts in a seven-inning game, fanning 14 as No. 19 UCF topped UTEP, 3-0, at the Bank of Hawaii Invitational on Saturday morning.
"Mackenzie was solid for us today," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "She stayed focused and threw her game."
Audas, who recorded at least two strikeouts in every inning but the seventh, tossed her third complete-game shutout. She allowed just one run and walked one of the 24 batters she faced.
"My pitches were working today," Audas said. "I was feeling on and my defense had my back when (UTEP) did put it in play. I think overall it was pretty strong."
The Knights scattered hits over the first four innings. Sophomore Linnea Goodman opened the game with a single to the shortstop and advanced all the way to third but was unable to score. Sophomore Brittany Solis opened the third with a single through the left side but was left stranded at third base by the end of the inning.
The UCF offense went to work in the sixth inning, as Goodman's leadoff single was followed by a single up the middle from junior Jessica Ujvari. Junior Samantha McCloskey's single took a hop out of the reach of the second baseman, loading the bases for junior Kalyn Cenal. Her fielder's choice RBI scored freshman pinch runner Megan Greenwell, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.
For the second time in three games, freshman Courtney Rotton pinch hit for the Knights. Her second collegiate hit was a triple that batted in a pair of runs and pushed the Black and Gold lead to 3-0. UTEP retired in order in the seventh to seal UCF's ninth victory of the season.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia, is back in action at the Bank of Hawaii Invitational against host Hawaii at 9 p.m. ET.