April 25, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- The No. 13 UCF Softball team extended its winning streak to nine games with a 5-0 victory over North Florida in a non-conference game at the UCF Softball Complex on Saturday. The Knights turned in an all-around top performance in front of a season-high crowd of 421.
"Having a crowd like that really picks up our game," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "Our girls play so much better when we have a crowd like (today's). We've got to thank our fans for coming out and supporting us."
Senior Mackenzie Audas and junior Shelby Turnier each struck out eight batters to give the UCF pitching staff 16 strikeouts in the game. Audas tossed four innings, allowing just one hit whileearning her 21st win in the circle. Turnier came in to close, striking out eight of the nine batters she faced.
After two scoreless innings of action, the Knights (44-6) opened things up in the bottom of the third. A fielding error allowed sophomore Willow Kalinen to reach and advance to second base. A stolen base put her on third and back-to-back hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for the Knights. Senior Kahley Novak put the Knights on the scoreboard first with a sacrifice fly that scored Kalinen.
With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, junior Kalyn Cenal singled through the left side. Singles from Kalinen and senior Maddy Schroeder loaded the bases for sophomore Linnea Goodman, who drew a four-pitch walk. Junior pinch runner Kirsten Foster gave the Knights a 2-0 lead after four innings.
Junior Samantha McCloskey opened the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to left center, pushing the Black and Gold advantage to 3-0. Cenal sent the very next pitch over the fence in left field, giving UCF a 4-0 lead with no outs in the inning. A one-out single and stolen base for Schroeder allowed the Knights to put runners on the corners with a single from Goodman. The Knights plated their final run of the day as the throw home was behind Schroeder, making it 5-0 after six complete innings.
Turnier struck out the side to close the game and give UCF its 20th shutout of the season.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, closes out the regular season with a three-game American Athletic Conference series against USF. The Knights and the Bulls open the weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday's single game is set for a noon start.