March 9, 2016
Final Stats
No. 25 UCF - Ball State Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The No. 25 UCF softball team turned in a total team effort to earn an 8-0 win in five innings over Ball State at the UCF Softball Complex on Wednesday evening.
It was good being able to jump out on (Ball State) as early as we did and have that opportunity to get the run-rule, head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. With a tough team, we didn't know what we would be getting into with this game. For the (team) to come out and hit as well as they did, being able to put five innings on the board instead of having to go a full seven, helps them get rested up for tomorrow's game.
UCF (15-8) extended its winning streak to 11 and improved to 11-2 at home.
The Knights out-hit the Cardinals 9-2. Junior Linnea Goodman and senior Samantha McCloskey finished with two hits each, while Goodman and sophomore Courtney Rotton drove in a pair of runs each.
Senior Shelby Turnier earned her seventh win of the season, striking out five without allowing a hit in three innings of work.
Team Work Makes The Dream Work
* The Knights used solid performances from its offense, defense and pitching staff to earn the win on Wednesday.
* UCF held Ball State without a hit until the fourth inning, and kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard. The Knights have seven shutouts on the season.
* The Black and Gold started early on offense and scored a run in four of the five innings.
* Seven Knights recorded a hit in the game, and five finished with at least one RBI.
* Shelby Turnier fanned five batters without allowing a hit or a run in the first three innings. Junior Manami Calixto came on in the fourth inning, tossing the final two innings with a strikeout for the combined shutout.
Run-Ruling
* UCF run-ruled its third opponent of the season with the 5-inning win over Ball State.
* The Knights shut out each of their opponents in the run-rule wins.
* The Black and Gold topped La Salle, 9-0, and South Dakota, 8-0, at the UCF Tournament last weekend.
Next Up
The Knights host Florida Gulf Coast in a single game on Thursday to start the UCF Spring Fling. First pitch is slated for 5:30 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex.
Story by Megan Herboth; Video by Chip Fontanazza