May 15, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Megan Herboth
UCFKnights.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) -- With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fourth, senior Maddy Schroeder stepped up and delivered for the UCF Softball team.
Her RBI single started a three-run fourth inning, which propelled the UCF Softball team to a 4-1 opening round win over South Carolina at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional at JoAnne Graf Field on Friday.
"(I'm) very proud of our girls how we came out to work today," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "With the combination of Mac (Mackenzie Audas) and Shelby (Turnier) today, great job on the mound; and Maddy (Schroeder) and the bottom of our line-up having some great opportunities to put pressure on the defense."
The Knights improved to 49-7 overall, matching the most wins in program history. The Black and Gold also posted their first opening-round win since 2010.
With two outs and a runner on second, junior Samantha McCloskey worked a full count before drawing a walk. Freshman Courtney Rotton stepped in to pinch hit, saw two balls and loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Schroeder connected an on 0-1 pitch and sped down the line, beating the throw to first, which allowed junior Jessica Ujvari to score the first run of the day.
"Honestly, I just put the ball on the ground (and it) was just tunnel (vision) to first base." Schroeder said. "My main goal was putting it in play, cause havoc, and that's what happened."
A throwing error allowed the Knights to plate two more runs in the inning, extending their lead to 3-0 after four complete innings. Senior Farrah Sullivan came around to score in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from Ujvari, pushing the Black and Gold advantage to 4-0.
Senior Mackenzie Audas tossed three innings, fanning three and allowing just two hits. Turnier came on in relief and picked her 25th win of the season, allowing just three hits with two strikeouts in four innings.
South Carolina loaded the bases twice in the early going, but the UCF defense kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard. In the top of the second, it was a force out at home and a foul pop-up that was caught by Samantha McCloskey. Audas got out of the jam in the top of the third with her third strikeout of the day.
The Gamecocks cut into UCF's lead in the top of the seventh. Alaynie Page led off with a double to right center and came around to score on a double from Victoria Williams. The UCF defense collected the final out of the game, sealing the Black and Gold's 4-1 win.
UCF Softball, which is presented by City Kia of Greater Orlando, moves on in the winners bracket and will face the winner of the No. 1 Florida State-No. 4 Dartmouth matchup at 10 a.m. on Saturday.