April 8, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
DELAND, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- Solid pitching and a strong offensive outing that included a pair of home runs from sophomore Brittany Solis lifted No. 17 UCF Softball to a 9-2 win over Stetson at Patricia Wilson Field on Wednesday. UCF improved to 37-6 overall.
"We came in understanding we had to play our best game," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "For us to score five in the third inning and really take a jump off, it really helped our pitchers out. It also gave our offense a lot of confidence that we needed."
Junior Shelby Turnier, who was named one of the 26 finalists for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year just before tonight's game, struck out 11 batters in four innings of work.
Related: Turnier Finalist For 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Yea r
"It's pretty crazy," Turnier said of being a finalist for the most prestigious honor in Division I softball. "I honestly never thought in a million years that I would be standing where I am right now with all these honors."
Although it took a couple of innings, the UCF bats warmed up. Junior Kalyn Cenal opened the third inning with a double to right center. Sophomore Willow Kalinen moved freshman pinch runner Megan Greenwell to third with a sacrifice bunt and senior Maddy Schroeder scored her with a single up the middle.
The Knights kept the inning rolling, as Schroeder stole second and a single from sophomore Linnea Goodman put runners on the corners for UCF. Senior Kahley Novak's RBI single extended the lead to 2-0 as Schroeder scored.
For the second time in as many games, Solis stepped up to the plate and delivered a three-run home run. The ball evaded the glove of Stetson's Kelsey Waters to drop outside the fence in left field. She pushed the Black and Gold advantage to 5-0 in the game.
"We've been working a lot on offense lately," Solis said. "It was nice just to be calm at the plate like I am in practice and hit two out."
Solis added a fourth RBI to her total with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. After stealing third, Novak tagged up to score and extend UCF's lead to 6-0.
Stetson posted its first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs in the inning, Demi Meza homered down the left field line to make it a 6-1 game.
UCF added to its total in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs and Novak on second base, a Stetson throwing error allowed Novak to score and senior Farrah Sullivan to reach first base. Solis made the most of the error, hitting her second homer of the game. Her two-run blast to right field was her fourth of the season, setting a new career high for the shortstop.
Stetson plated a run in the bottom of the inning, but was unable to close the gap as the Knights earned their 37th win of the season.
Solis finished the game with a career high six RBIs. She became the third Knight with a six-RBI game, joining Stephanie Best and Dottie Cup for the second-most in a game. Novak knocked a pair of hits and scored three runs in the game.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, is back at the UCF Softball Complex on April 11-12, hosting Houston for Alumni Weekend. The Knights and the Cougars will play a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. First pitch in Sunday's single game is set for noon.