ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF used a balanced offensive attack, which featured all nine players in the lineup registering at least one of the team's 14 hits, to down Mercer, 8-4 on Sunday at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights scored the first six runs and kept the Bears off the scoreboard till the final two frames.
Junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell paced the Knights (13-9) by going 3-for-4 with one RBI and two stolen bases, while two hits and two runs were driven in by freshman third baseman Tamesha Glover.
"We saw our freshmen step up today and really go after them," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "We played a one-run game last night with them and it was tough. We didn't see everything that we wanted to see out of the hitters. Today, they wanted to show what they are about and our hitters really did a good job offensively for us."
A pair of hits each were recorded by seniors shortstop Brittany Solis and right fielder Willow Kalinen. Kalinen notched the lone extra-base hit, an RBI triple to left center in the fourth inning, for the Knights.
Freshman Alea White (7-6) tossed her second complete game of the weekend and fanned four, while yielding three earned runs vs. Mercer (12-15).
"It's great to see us stepping up in the beginning of games now, but we need to get a little tougher towards the end and close out some of these games better," Gillispie added.
Two-Out Rally
- Freshman catcher Autumn Gillespie dropped down a bunt for a single to spark a two-out rally in the second inning.
- Consecutive singles by senior designated player Linnea Goodman and junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell loaded the bases.
- A bases loaded walk pushed across the first run before freshman third baseman Tamesha Glover delivered a clutch two-run single to left field, 3-0.
"It was great to see Autumn [Gillespie] do whatever it takes to get on - a bunt for a hit. She saw that the corners were back and thought she had a chance to make something happen and did just that. That play really turned around the inning for us."
-Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie
Tacking on More Runs
- The Knights put up another three spot in the third inning on four hits.
- Back-to-back base knocks by sophomore left fielder Tiffany Lower and senior right fielder Willow Kalinen started the frame.
- An infield bunt single by senior shortstop Brittany Solis brought home one run and a second crossed the plate during a rundown at second base, 5-0.
- UCF extended its advantage to 6-0 on a single by junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell later that inning.
- Senior right fielder Willow Kalinen connected on a triple into the left center gap, scoring sophomore first baseman Cassady Brewer, who drew a walk to start the fourth frame.
- Brewer came through with an RBI single through the left side in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 8-1.
"Everyone stepped up. All our batters one through nine got on base and did what they had to do."
-Junior CF Megan Greenwell
Next Up
The Knights continue their season-long homestand with a doubleheader on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Iowa State. The contest will serve as Military/First Responders night with admission free courtesy of CFE. The first 300 fans in attendance will be given a draw-string bag with the UCF American flag logo.
Season tickets for the 2017 campaign start at $50 for adults and $25 for youth (ages 2-17). For more information about season and individual game tickets, click here.
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