March 29, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - No. 18 UCF Softball jumped out to an early lead over UConn and never looked back in a 6-1 win over the Huskies at the UCF Softball Complex on Sunday. UCF (34-5, 6-0 AAC) posted its second American Athletic Conference series sweep of the season.
"Our goal was for (the team) to understand that they've already seen (UConn) twice," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "They've seen both of their pitchers and it was time to make those adjustments and come out strong. They did just that. They looked really good this morning."
Senior Mackenzie Audas tossed a one-hitter in four innings. She fanned seven batters to earn her 71st career win, tyingthe UCF Softball record. Junior Shelby Turnier earned her second save of the weekend, coming in to relieve Audas in the top of the fifth. Turnier tossed a one-hitter while striking out seven batters.
The Knights jumped on the Huskies early, using three straight hits to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Linnea Goodman opened with a leadoff double, which senior Kahley Novak followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Senior Farrah Sullivan scored the pair as she doubled down the right field line.
UConn cut the deficit in half in the top of the third. A solo home run from Lexi Gifford pulled the Huskies within a run, 2-1.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, sophomore Willow Kalinen's buntgave the Knights a base runner. A ground out moved Kalinen into scoring position at second base. Senior Maddy Schroeder's RBI single through the right side scored Kalinen and pushed the Black and Gold advantage to 3-1.
Novak opened the bottom of the fifth with a base hit. She stole second and moved to third on UConn's throwing error. Junior Jessica Ujvari doubled, sending Novak home. Redshirt junior pinch runner Blaire Kelley came around to score as junior Kalyn Cenal hit a hard shot to right center. The Knights held a 5-1 lead after five innings of action.
In the bottom of the sixth, Goodman's single to third base put a pair of runners on after Schroeder reached on an error. Sullivan walked to load the bases for Ujvari. A fielder's choice allowed Schroeder to score and gave UCF a 6-1 lead.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Dominique Pinto doubled to right field to give UConn a base runner. Turnier ended the game with her seventh punch-out of the day.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, returns to action on Friday, making a trip to Tulsa for a three-game American Athletic Conference series with the Hurricane. The first game in Friday's doubleheader will begin at 2 p.m. ET. Saturday's single game is slated for a 12:00 p.m. start.