May 1, 2016
Final Stats
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - With one out, a runner on first and a 1-0 count in the top of the ninth, senior Samantha McCloskey stepped into the batter's box and delivered. Her two-run blast over the center field wall lifted the Knights to a 5-3 win over No. 18 USF Softball on Sunday evening at the USF Softball Stadium.
"I was just ready to hit hard," McCloskey said. "We were playing to win the series. Since I've been here and in the American Athletic Conference, we have not lost a conference series, and that's what we were playing for."
UCF (33-18, 10-3 The American) secured the series win over the Bulls, winning the Friday and Sunday contests.
McCloskey went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Courtney Rotton, senior Jessica Ujvari, senior Kalyn Cenal and redshirt junior Jasmine Acevedo each recorded a hit in the game.
Senior Shelby Turnier allowed just two hits and a walk while fanning four batters in three innings of work. She earned her 17th win of the season, and the 76th of her career.
Super Sam
* Samantha McCloskey got the Knights on the board in the top of the fourth, as her double to center field allowed sophomore pinch runner Megan Greenwell to score from first. The Detriot, Mich., native cut the Bulls lead to two, 3-1, with one out in the inning.
* Facing a bases-loaded situation with the game-winning run on third base and no outs in the bottom of the seventh, McCloskey and junior Willow Kalinen teamed up to turn a double play. Kalinen caught a pop-up in right field and made the throw down the line to McCloskey, who tagged the runner out at home.
* With one out and freshman Cassady Brewer on first base in the top of the ninth, McCloskey put the Black and Gold in front for good with a two-run homer over the wall in center field. Her fourth home run of the season gave UCF a 5-3 edge.
* McCloskey's fourth inning double pushed her into the top 10 all-time at UCF with 29. She moved one home run closer to tying Farrah Sullivan for third all-time in round-trippers.
Extra Innings Excitement
* Tied 3-3 after the regulation seven innings, the Knights found themselves playing extra innings for the third time this season.
* UCF held a 1-1 record in extra innings this season, while USF was 2-0. The Knights earned a 1-0 win over Illinois State in 10 innings on Mar. 8, but fell 2-0 to Florida Atlantic on Mar. 15.
* The UCF offense was retired in order in the top of the eighth, but a pair of strikeouts from Shelby Turnier and a pop-up to junior Brittany Solis sent the teams to the ninth inning still knotted at 3-3.
* After McCloskey's home run put the Knights in front heading to the top of the ninth, the UCF defense went back on the field to hold off the Bulls and secure the series victory.
* Turnier punched out the first two USF batters looking, but the Bulls extended the inning with a single to left field. Junior Linnea Goodman secured the win by catching a fly ball in left.
Next up
The Knights return to the UCF Softball Complex on Wednesday, hosting Stetson for a single game. The 5:30 p.m. contest will serve as the Breast Cancer Awareness game. UCF closes American Athletic Conference regular season action on Friday, hosting East Carolina in the first of a three-game series at 5:30 p.m.
Story by Megan Herboth; Video by Nate Blythe