ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Prior to its bye weekend in conference play, UCF faces its second top-ranked opponent this season Wednesday with a road trip to No. 1 Florida. The contest in Gainesville is set to start at 6:05 p.m. on the SEC Network+.
UCF
The Knights took their four-straight series against South Florida since the two programs joined The American in 2014. It was the first softball battle in the War on I-4 Rivalry Series.
UCF started the three-game set with freshman Alea White's third shutout of the season. The Land O'Lakes, Fla., native also notched the win in the decisive series finale and posted a 0.78 ERA with seven strikeouts over 18 innings in two appearances to earn a spot on The American Honor Roll.
Another freshman, Kyra Klarkowski, lifted the Knights to a 5-4 walk-off victory on Saturday with a single to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning.
UCF is led by senior Linnea Goodman with a .388 batting average and 10 doubles. A team-best 21 runs have been driven in by sophomore Cassady Brewer, while junior Courtney Rotton has added 19 RBI.
White has been the workhorse in the circle, posting a 16-11 mark with 77 strikeouts over 161.1 innings. Junior Manami Calixto (2-3) and freshmen Kamryn Toney (4-4) and Damara Begin (1-1) have complimented White and logged important innings throughout the season.
Florida
Florida enters the midweek matchup with a 40-3 overall and 15-2 SEC mark. The Gators are ranked No. 1 in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 and ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25.
Kayli Kvistad and Amanda Lorenz lead the Gators offense with .375 and .364 batting averages, respectively. A team-best 36 RBI have been recorded by Jamie Hoover, while Jordan Roberts (32), Kvistad (34) and Lorenz (30) have each produced at least 30 runs.
Florida has primarily used the duo of Kelly Barnhill and Delanie Gourley in the circle. Barnhill (18-0) has posted a 0.19 ERA with 205 strikeouts in 110.2 innings, while Gourley (13-3) has fanned 148 hitters over 103.1 frames. A 7-0 mark and 0.84 ERA has been contributed by Aleshia Ocasio, who has 39 strikeouts over 50.0 innings of work.
Series History
Florida leads the all-time series, 19-3, and has won the last eight meetings. Nine of the 22 meetings between the programs have come during an NCAA Regional in Gainesville. UCF's last win over Florida came on April 11, 2012, when the Knights and then-freshman Mackenzie Audas shut out the No. 3 Gators, 2-0, at the UCF Softball Complex.
Next Up
UCF plays its final home series against UConn, starting with a 5:30 p.m. contest on April 28. The Knights will recognize their four seniors, Manami Calixto, Linnea Goodman, Willow Kalinen and Brittany Solis, following their final game at the UCF Softball Complex on Aril 30 at noon.
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