FT. MYERS, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF notched its first road victory on Wednesday afternoon by topping Florida Gulf Coast, 5-1. Junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell registered three RBI and notched her first-career triple that drove in two runs at the FGCU Softball Complex.
"This is the first time that we have been to FGCU and its beautiful stadium," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said "We had a three-hour bus trip down here and it's always curious to see how we are going to do coming off a bus to play a game. We didn't have all the energy we wanted, but the players came out and played a great game. It was good to see us put nine hits on the board, especially on the road."
Two hit contests were tallied by senior left fielder Linnea Goodman, junior designated player Courtney Rotton and sophomore first baseman Cassady Brewer.
The fifth complete-game of the season was notched by freshman hurler Alea White, who improved to 3-4 on the campaign for UCF (7-6). The Land O'Lakes, Fla., native did not allow an earned run and only surrendered five hits against FGCU (8-7)
"It's really exciting to know that your pitchers are always going to get the job done. That always makes things easier on [our defense]," Greenwell said. "But when they do put the ball in play, then we are going to be there to catch it."
Three-Run Third
- A leadoff single up the middle for senior left fielder Linnea Goodman started a rally for the Knights in the third inning.
- After a one-out base knock through the right side from sophomore first baseman Cassady Brewer, senior shortstop Brittany Solis drew a five-pitch walk.
- UCF scored first on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of freshman second baseman Aubrey Johnson.
- The big hit of the frame came from junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell, who tripled to the fence in left center, upping the Knights' lead to 3-0. She ended up being tagged out at the plate trying to stretch it to an inside the park homer.
"As soon as I hit it and saw it going to the outfield, I was immediately thinking of going home. Coach [Gillispie] tried to stop me, but I was already on my horse and prepared for a close play at the plate."
-Junior CF Megan Greenwell
"You look at Megan and can see her getting fired up at the plate. She is getting that chance to sit in and hit as well as slapping and bunting. Now, she is becoming that true triple-threat for us."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie
Adding Insurance Runs
- After junior designated player Courtney Rotton started off the fifth frame with a base knock, sophomore first baseman Cassady Brewer connected on a liner down the right field line and hustled around the bases for a triple, extending the advantage to 4-1.
- A pair of walks loaded the bases before junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell drove in her career-best third run of the game on a fielder's choice, 5-1.
Next Up
UCF begins a 19-game homestand on Friday with a contest against Providence at 3 p.m. The UCF Invitational continues for the Black and Gold on Saturday against FGCU at 5 p.m. before concluding on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. vs. Providence.
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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