.@linnngoood Here is a look at the game-ending triple play that we turned #ChargeOn #PlayGold #SCTop10 #NCAATop10 pic.twitter.com/8FjXhRgSwa
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) April 9, 2017
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) – With the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, UCF junior centerfielder Megan Greenwell caught a fly ball and started a series-clinching triple play, securing a 10-6 victory Sunday afternoon at Memphis.
The initial throw to the plate was caught by sophomore catcher Cassady Brewer, who made the tag and alertly threw to third base. Junior Courtney Rotton caught the ball as the runner slid into the tag to complete the program's first-ever triple play.
"It was exciting, no team that I have ever been a part of has been able to turn a triple play, especially to win such an important game," senior designated player Linnea Goodman said. "That was awesome. I was really excited for everyone that was involved it. It was awesome being on the field for it."
The Knights (21-18, 5-4 The American) celebrated in front of the third base dugout after accomplishing one of the rarest feats in softball.
"They have been taught to look for that next play or next opportunity," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "Today, we saw that come through. It was a great throw by Megan [Greenwell] to the plate, then [Cassady] Brewer had the sense to make that throw and Courtney was there at third to make that tag. It was really exciting to be a part of it."
The game will also go down in the record books as Goodman became the first UCF player in program history to notch five hits.
"Linny [Goodman] breaking the record here at UCF today is incredible," coach Gillispie said. "She deserves it so much, because she is a senior and has worked so hard in her career. She is always consistent and today was her day. It was really neat to be able to celebrate that with her."
The Long Beach, Calif., native went 5-for-5 as the Knights' leadoff hitter, drove in three runs, and notched a double. Goodman tied the previous mark of four hits twice, which had been accomplished 17 times dating back to the start of the program in 2002.
"Definitely in my senior year, it is awesome that I could say I left something behind for the program," Goodman said. "Ultimately, I hope that it is something for the next generation to try and achieve - which is something that I am really proud of."
The Knights struck first with two runs in the first inning an RBI single and sac fly from freshmen Jazmine Esparza and Kyra Klarkowski, respectively. UCF took a 5-0 advantage in the third inning and pounded out 19 of the combined 36 hits between the two teams.
Two-hit games for the Knights (21-18, 5-4 The American) were tallied by seniors Brittany Solis, Willow Kalinen, Klarkowski, Greenwell, Esparza and Klarkowski. A pair of runs were each driven in by Kalinen and Klarkowski.
With the Knights holding a 7-1 lead going to the bottom of the fifth inning, Memphis (23-18, 4-5 The American) started a stretch of three innings where it loaded the bases with no outs. The Knights only allowed two runs in the fifth and six frames and one run in the seven inning before turning the game-ending triple play.
Freshman Alea White (14-11) picked up the victory and tossed six innings, while striking out three hitters. One frame of relief was logged by freshman Damara Begin before White reentered in the seventh inning.
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UCF returns home on Thursday for a nationally televised contest against South Florida at 6 p.m. on ESPNU.
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