Feb. 11, 2016
Final Stats
No. 17 UCF - Liberty Box Score
UCF vs. Liberty - (2/11/16) - Images by UCF Knights
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - A five-run fifth inning helped No. 17 UCF open the season on a winning note. The Knights downed Liberty 7-2 at the UCF Softball Complex on Thursday evening.
"(The team) did a great job," UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie. "We talk about quality at-bats, and at one time we had four quality at-bats back-to-back-to-back-to-back. We had a fantastic crowd today. I thank the fans for coming out and being as loud as they were."
Liberty opened the scoring in the first frame and retook the lead in the fourth inning before the Knights broke the game open with five runs in the bottom half. Four Knights finished with a pair of hits each as UCF posted 12 hits as a team. Senior Shelby Turnier earned the win in the circle.
Five-Run Fourth
? The UCF bats came alive in the fourth inning. UCF knocked five hits, driving in five runs to take the lead for good in the game.
? Nine-consecutive Knights reached base in the inning. A leadoff walk from freshman Autumn Gillespie started a chain reaction. After redshirt junior Jasmine Acevedo was hit by a pitch, junior Linnea Goodman hit an RBI single to left center.
? A perfectly placed bunt from junior Brittany Solis loaded the bases for the Knights, and sophomore Courtney Rotton sent the game-winning run home with an RBI single to the shortstop.
Ups for Ujvari
? Senior Jessica Ujvari became the first Knight to hit a home run this season. Her solo shot over the left field fence made it a 1-1 ball game in the bottom of the third.
? The 2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year picked up where she left off last season, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a run scored.
UCF Debuts
? Gillespie and fellow freshman Cassady Brewer earned their first collegiate starts on Thursday, with junior transfer Manami Calixto seeing her first action in the circle at UCF.
? Gillespie recorded her first collegiate hit in the bottom of the fourth inning, leading off with a double to right field. The Redlands, Calif., native finished 2-for 4 with a run scored and picked off a runner at first in the bottom of the second inning.
? Brewer drew a pair of walks in her first appearance as a Knight. The Apopka, Fla., native earned the starting nod at second base and recorded three assists.
? Calixto relieved Turnier in the sixth inning. The Curitiba, Brazil, native allowed just one hit and a walk while striking out a pair in two innings in the circle.
Next Up
? UCF continues action at the UCF Knights Invitational with a pair of games on Friday. The Knights take on Rutgers at 4:30 p.m. before facing No. 5 Alabama at 6:30 p.m. at the UCF Softball Contest.
? The first 75 UCF students at Friday night's 6:30 p.m. contest against No. 5 Alabama will receive the February Knightro Bobblehead.
? The purchase of a daily ticket will allow access into all of that day's games. Tickets are $5 for adults and can be purchased here. UCF Softball season tickets are on sale now.
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton; Video by Austin Perry