March 15, 2016
Final Stats
UCF - FAU stats | UCF - New Mexico State stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF softball team bounced back after dropping Tuesday's first game against Florida Atlantic to post a win over New Mexico State at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights fell 2-0 in eight innings to the Owls, but rebounded to top the Aggies, 3-0.
"It's how you bounce back," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "We have 56 games in a season; it's a long season. The team did a great job of bouncing back and focusing on what they needed to do against New Mexico State. I'm very proud of them for being able to come back like they did."
Senior Jessica Ujvari and junior Willow Kalinen each recorded a hit for the Knights against FAU. Senior Shelby Turnier tossed all eight innings, finishing with seven strikeouts.
UCF (20-10) bounced back against New Mexico State. Five Knights recorded at least one hit in the game, while freshman Cassady Brewer finished with a pair of hits. Turnier fanned seven batters over four innings for her ninth win of the season, while senior Jamie Ujvari earned her third save of the season.
Extra Innings With The Owls
? UCF played its second extra-innings game of the season in Tuesday's opening game against FAU.
? Senior Shelby Turnier worked a no-hit bid entering the sixth inning, but the Owls broke up the no-hitter with back-to-back knocks in the sixth inning.
? Playing an international tiebreaker, the Owls put a runner on second base in the top of the eighth inning. A sac bunt moved the runner to third and a triple gave FAU a 1-0 lead. The Owls tacked on a run in the inning to lead the home team, 2-0.
? In the bottom of the eighth with a runner on second, freshman Cassady Brewer drew a walk, and a fielding error allowed the Knights to load the bases, but FAU was able to collect all three outs without allowing a run to score.
All-In Over the Aggies
? UCF bounced back in the second game of the day, jumping on New Mexico State in the second inning. An RBI single from Willow Kalinen gave the Knights a 1-0 lead after two innings.
? Sophomore Courtney Rotton worked a full count to draw a one-out walk in the bottom of the third, and Jessica Ujvari drove her home with a triple, extending the UCF advantage to 2-0.
? Senior Samantha McCloskey followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 3-0.
? The UCF defense and pitching staff held the Aggies for the final four innings to post the ninth shutout of the season.
Next Up
The Knights close out its 15-game home stand on Wednesday, hosting New Mexico State for a single game at 1 p.m.
Story by Megan Herboth; Video by Rachel White