Feb. 17, 2016
Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Facing its second Top-Five opponent in the last six days, No. 15 UCF Softball came up short against No. 3 Auburn. The Tigers used a two-run first inning to defeat the Knights 2-0 Wednesday morning at the UCF Softball Complex.
They're a very solid team, great-hitting team," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "When you play against teams like that and you stay with them and know that you had a shot at winning this game, you have the confidence going in (to the Mary Nutter Classic).
After Auburn scored two runs in the first inning, senior Shelby Turnier and the UCF defense kept the Tigers off the scoreboard for the rest of the game. Turnier stuck out 11 batters. Junior Linnea Goodman went 2-for-3, while freshman Autumn Gillespie hit her first collegiate double and drew a four-pitch walk.
The Knights had a chance to cut the lead or tie the game in the fifth inning. After Gillespie led off with a double down the right field line, a groundout moved sophomore pinch runner Megan Greenwell to third. Redshirt junior Jasmine Acevedo hit a shot over the fence, but it was just foul. The Knights stranded a pair of runners in the inning.
Top 15 Matchup
* UCF hosted its first Top 15 matchup at the UCF Softball Complex as the 15th-ranked Knights hosted the No. 3 Tigers.
* The Knights faced their second top-five opponent in the last six days. UCF defeated No. 5 Alabama, 8-1, on Feb. 12.
* The Black and Gold faced their first of six ranked opponents and the third in the last six days.
Just A Pair
* UCF held Auburn to just two runs, the fewest that the Tigers have scored all season. Auburn entered the game averaging 17.4 runs per game.
* The Tigers scored their runs in the first inning. The UCF pitching and defense kept Auburn off the scoreboard for the rest of the game.
Next Up
* The Knights make their first road trip of the season, heading to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Mary Nutter Classic.
* UCF will face five ranked opponents - No. 25 Texas A&M, No. 8 UCLA, No. 9 Arizona, No. 4 LSU, No. 11 Washington - during the three-day tournament.
Story by Megan Herboth