March 25, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
MIAMI, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 18 UCF softball team scored early and often in an 8-3 win over Florida International at Felsberg Field at the FIU Softball Stadium on Wednesday evening. UCF improved to 30-5 overall while knocking a season-best 13 hits in the win.
"The offense today was the highlight," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "You talk about those girls at the top of the order really coming up and getting some big hits and big RBI when we needed it."
After leaving a runner on second in the first inning, the Knights turned up the heat in the next inning. Juniors Kalyn Cenal and Samantha McCloskey drew back-to-back walks to open the second inning, and a sacrifice bunt advanced both pinch runners. A ground out scored sophomore Andrea Neswiacheny. Sophomore Linnea Goodman's RBI single scored freshman Megan Greenwell and put the Knights in front 2-0.
Opening the third inning with a single from junior Jessica Ujvari that landed in left field, the Knights added to the score as junior pinch runner Kirsten Foster moved around the bases. UCF led 3-0 after three innings.
For the fourth straight inning, the Knights put the leadoff runner on base as Goodman singled to left field. Senior Farrah Sullivan singled, putting a pair of runners on for Ujvari, whose RBI single to left field scored Goodman and extended the UCF lead to 4-0. McCloskey's third walk of the game came with the bases loaded, scoring Sullivan and pushing the Black and Gold advantage to 5-0.
After retiring in order in the top of the fifth, the Knights bounced back in the top of the sixth. Sullivan doubled after her hit bounced off the wall and back into the park to open the inning. Sophomore Willow Kalinen's fielder's choice allowed Sullivan to score and give the Knights a 6-0 lead.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, redshirt junior Blaire Kelley walked. Goodman's fourth hit of the game was a single to the pitcher, giving the Knights a pair of runners. UCF's final two runs of the game came courtesy of senior Kahley Novak's triple down the right field line. The Knights took an 8-0 lead to the bottom of the seventh.
The Panthers opened the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single. With two runners on and two outs, FIU's Ashley Leon's single to left field allowed the Panthers to plate a run. Stephanie Texeira's single to center field scored a pair of FIU runs, but the Knights ended the game before the Panthers could close the gap.
Senior Mackenzie Audas earned her 15th win of the season in the circle. She recorded her ninth game with ten or more strikeouts, fanning 10 in seven innings.
Linnea Goodman recorded a career-high four hits in five at-bats and scored a pair of runs for the Knights. Kahley Novak batted in a team-high two runs, while Samantha McCloskey drew a game-high three walks.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, is back in action on Thursday, traveling to FAU for a 4 p.m. game at FAU Softball Stadium. The Knights are back at the UCF Softball Stadium on Saturday, hosting UConn in the first home conference series of the season.