April 30, 2016
Final Stats
UCF - No. 18 USF Game 2 stats
UCF at USF (04/30/16) - Images by UCF Knights
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Redshirt junior Jasmine Acevedo hit the first home run of her career to put the UCF softball team on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, but the Knights were unable to rally against No. 18 USF on Saturday. The Knights dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bulls at the USF Softball Stadium.
It was really exciting, Acevedo said. It felt like I hit a pop up, but I just kept running. I didn't notice it was over until everyone ran out of the dugout.
UCF (32-18, 9-3 The American) matched USF in hits, with each team recording five in the ball game. Sophomore Courtney Rotton recorded a pair of hits, going 2-for-3. Acevedo, junior Linnea Goodman and senior Jessica Ujvari each had a hit in the game.
USF, who clinched the regular season American Athletic Conference championship title with the win, jumped on the Knights early. The Bulls scored a pair of runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
The Knights opened the first and second innings with leadoff walks, but were unable to score in either inning. The Bulls added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-0 lead into the fifth inning.
Leading off in the fifth, Acevedo watched a ball before drilling one over the fence in left field. The Largo, Fla., native has three career triples, but made her first trip around the bases on Saturday to cut USF's lead to 3-1.
The Bulls responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth, taking a 4-1 lead into the sixth inning. The Black and Gold were unable to score in the sixth, and stranded a runner in the top of the seventh as USF secured the victory.
Next up
UCF concludes the American Athletic Conference series on Sunday. The Knights and the Bulls are slated for a 5 p.m. contest at the USF Softball Stadium that will air on ESPNU.
Story by Megan Herboth; Photos by Nate Blythe