Feb. 20, 2016
Final Stats
No. 15 UCF - No. 25 Texas A&M Stats | No. 15 UCF - No. 8 UCLA Stats
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 15 UCF softball team came up short on the opening day of the Mary Nutter Classic. The Knights fell to No. 23/25 Texas A&M, 10-4, in the early game before dropping a 2-0 decision to No. 7/8 UCLA in the nightcap at the Big League Dreams Sports Plaza.
Junior Brittany Solis hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot against the Aggies. Freshman Autumn Gillespie went 2-for-4 at the plate. Senior Shelby Turnier struck out 10 Bruins and only allowed four hits in the final game of the opening day.
Aggravated by the Aggies
* UCF opened the Mary Nutter Classic against No. 25 Texas A&M. The first meeting between the programs ended in favor of the Aggies.
* After Texas A&M took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, the Knights responded in the bottom of the frame. After freshman Cassady Brewer walked, sophomore pinch runner Megan Greenwell stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. A second wild pitch on junior Willow Kalinen's walk allowed Greenwell to score and tie the game.
* The Aggies scored three runs each in the third and fourth inning to extend their lead. A two-run home run from Brittany Solis cut the lead to four, 7-3, but the damage was done. An RBI single from senior Samantha McCloskey plated UCF's final run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Knights fell, 10-4.
Bruin Battle
* The nightcap turned into a pitching duel between the Knights and Bruins. The teams combined for seven hits and both pitchers recorded 10 strikeouts.
* A two-run third inning for UCLA proved to be the difference in the game as the Bruins held on for the victory.
* Turnier recorded her second double-digit strikeout game of the season, fanning 10 batters while only allowing four hits in the game.
Next Up
* The Knights continue Mary Nutter Classic action. UCF faces No. 9 Arizona and No. 4 LSU on Saturday before closing the weekend against No. 11 Washington.
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Brad Helton