TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF freshman third baseman Tamesha Glover connected on a two-run homer in the third inning to spark the Knights offense to a 5-0 victory over Gardner-Webb on Friday afternoon. The Knights dropped the second game of the Easton Bama Bash to No. 10 Alabama, 4-0, at Rhoads Stadium.
"Being able to open up with Gardner-Webb provided us with a chance to get our hitters some quality at bats," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "We saw against Alabama that we are there defensively and know what we need to do. Our pitchers have been great, but we have to work on our bats. We are seeing more quality at bats, so that just needs to keep improving every day."
Freshmen hurler Alea White held her own against Alabama, keeping the high-powered offense to one run over the first five innings. A pair of base hits in the contest were notched by junior designated player Courtney Rotton.
Glover's Got Game
- Freshman third baseman Tamesha Glover went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer, double and single against Gardner-Webb.
- The round tripper in the third inning was the first of her career and provided the offense with confidence.
- The Eustis, Fla., native connected on a long fly ball against the Crimson Tide that was tracked down at the fence by the left fielder in the sevent inning.
"Out of the hitters, Tamesha was the one that stepped up in both games. She had a quality at bat in each plate appearance and crushed the ball. She really is seeing the ball well right now."
-Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie
"I was able to get us going and provide our team with some confidence. It felt great to hit the home run. I was able to make a few adjustments in each of my at bats."
-Freshman Tamesha Glover
Second Win for Toney
- Freshman pitcher Kamryn Toney (2-0) notched her first shutout against the Bulldogs.
- The first strikeout of the Covington, Ga., native's career was registered in the fourth inning, and she finished with three.
- Gardner-Webb scatted five hits over the first three innings, but Toney settled in and only allowed one base runner the rest of the way.
"Kam came out and did a great job. She was able to get a shutout in her appearance and mixed her pitches well as the game progressed."
-Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie
"My defense played great behind me. Knowing that they are there, allows me to relax. I know that they will go all out to Play Gold and make the plays behind me."
-Freshman pitcher Kamryn Toney
Extending the Lead
- Against GWU, a single through the right side by junior center fielder Megan Greenwell brought home sophomore second baseman Cassady Brewer, who started off the fourth frame with a base knock.
- The Knights capitalized on a walk drawn by Glover to start the fifth inning when junior designated player Courtney Rotton singled right back up the middle.
- Once again, Glover started a rally in the seventh inning with a one-out single. She came around to score on fielding miscue by the third baseman with the bases loaded.
#PlayGold Defense
- The Knights bounced back after committing a fielding miscue in the first inning against the Bulldogs and were perfect during the rest of the doubleheader.
- Senior shortstop Brittany Solis made a number of tremendous plays, including gloving a ball in shallow left field and throwing out the batter at first.
- A pair of inning-changing plays were made by junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell. The Miami, Fla., native gunned down a runner at third base following a single in the first inning and made a diving catch, which halted a potential big fourth inning for the Tide.
"Our defense was really solid, especially against Alabama. We pride ourselves on having a good, solid defense. Megan had a couple of great plays in the outfield and Brittany was fantastic at shortstop, showing her range and arm."
-Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie
Next Up
The Knights continue the Easton Bama Bash on Saturday against Gardner-Webb at noon ET and Texas Tech at 7 p.m. ET. UCF rounds out the three-day event at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday vs. No. 10 Alabama.
The next home contest for the Knights is set for Mar. 3 at 3 p.m. against Providence at the UCF Softball Complex.
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