March 13, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - It took just one inning for UCF Softball history to be made in No. 20 UCF's 8-3 win against Monmouth on Friday afternoon at the UCF Softball Complex. With her second strikeout of the game, senior Mackenzie Audas became the all-time leader, passing Allison Kime with 848 career strikeouts. Senior Kahley Novak's stolen base in the bottom of the first gave her sole possession of the UCF career record with 103 thefts as a Knight.
Audas went on to break Kime's record for most appearances, as the Plant City, Fla., native's start in the 10-2 win over Fairfield was the 130th appearance of her career.
UCF (23-4) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first as the Black and Gold went through the entire lineup and amassed four hits in the inning. Freshman Courtney Rotton batted in a pair of runs with a single that landed in center field. Junior Kalyn Cenal followed with a double that scored junior pinch runner Kirsten Foster from first base.
Sophomore Linnea Goodman led off with a single in the bottom of the second, which Novak followed with a single of her own. Senior Farrah Sullivan drew a walk to load the bases for the Knights. Junior Jessica Ujvari's hit dropped just beyond first base, plating a pair of runs and extending the lead to 7-0. Cenal's second hit of the game batted in another for UCF, giving the Black and Gold an 8-0 lead after two innings of action.
Monmouth added a pair of runs on a single down the right field line in the top of the third, cutting into the UCF lead. The Hawks plated another run in the top of the fifth to make it an 8-3 game, but the Knights would not allow Monmouth to score again in the game.
UCF tallied nine hits in the win, with Novak, Ujvari and Cenal each recording a pair of hits. Ujvari had a team-leading three RBI, while Sullivan drew two walks.Junior Jamie Ujvari notched her first win of the season, coming on to pitch three innings with three strikeouts.
The Knights carried the momentum of game one into Friday's nightcap against Fairfield. An RBI single from Farrah Sullivan scored Kahley Novak in the bottom of the first to give UCF an early 1-0 lead.
After three quick outs in the second, the Black and Gold went to work in the third inning. Senior Maddy Schroeder led off with a single and Novak sped down the line to beat the throw at first, putting runners on the corners with one out for Farrah Sullivan. Sullivan's second home run of the season was a three-run homer to left field, which extended the UCF lead to 4-0.
Kalyn Cenal stepped up to the plate with two outs in the third and sophomore pinch runner Willow Kalinen on second base. The junior hit her career-best sixth home run of the season and gave the Knights a 6-0 advantage.
Fairfield plated a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to cut into the UCF lead. Sophomore Brittany Solis responded with a leadoff triple, and scored on a wild pitch to make it a 7-2 game.
The Stags stranded a runner in the top of the fifth, keeping UCF in front by fI'veruns.
With a pair of runners on in the bottom of the inning, Kalinen singled to third base, and a throwing errorallowed UCF to plate a run. Cenal's sacrifice fly made it 9-2, and put the Knights within a run of ending the game in five innings.
Junior Samantha McCloskey faced an 0-2 count before drilling the ball down the right field line, scoring Kalinen and securing UCF's 10-2 win in five innings.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, is back in action tomorrow evening at the UCF Spring Fling. The Knights face Butler at 6 p.m. game before hosting UIC in an 8 p.m. matchup.