JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF Knights wrapped up day two of the Green and Gold Classic adding both a win and a loss to their 2018 season record. The Knights trounced the Western Carolina Catamounts in a rematch, 8-0, in five innings for their second-straight shutout, but dropped the second game of the double header to No. 23 James Madison, 3-2.
Denali Schappacher went 4-for-4 in the matchup with the Catamounts including two stolen bases, while Hayley Bejarano registered three hits and a run scored. Sophomore Aubrey Johnson hit her second home run of the season as she finished the day with two hits, a pair of runs, and two RBI.
Game One
For the second game in a row, UCF shutout their opponent as Kamryn Toney picked up her first win of the season as she threw a five-inning one-hitter, while the offense racked up 11 hits to secure a 8-0 victory over Western Carolina.
UCF put the pressure on the Catamounts early as they loaded the bases for senior Courtney Rotton. Rotton was hit by a pitch, which brought Schappacher home. The Knights ended the first inning with a run and a pair of hits to go up, 1-0, on Western Carolina.
In the bottom of the second, Erin Emanuel started the inning off ripping a double to left center bringing up Schappacher who singled to center to drive in Emanuel. Schappcher stole second to put herself in scoring position for Kaitlyn Jensen who poked one to right field to plate Schappacher to go up, 3-0.
The bats continued in the third for the Knights as Johnson and Bejarano each singled allowing Brooke Barlow to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Schappacher then ripped one up the middle scoring Johnson and Jazmine Esparza doubled to left center bringing in Emanuel and Bejarano to go up 6-0 with Cassady Brewer at the plate. Brewer hit a hard ground ball to the second baseman, which allowed Schappacher to race home and bring the score to 7-0.
Heading into the fifth inning, the Knights only needed one more run to end the game and they did exactly that as Schappacher and Megan Greenwell each singled allowing Brewer to knock in Schappacher for the win.
Game Two
The Dukes got on the board early plating two runs in the first inning, but the Knights responded in the second when Johnson blasted a home run to left field scoring Jensen to knot it up 2-2.
James Madison snagged another run in the second off an RBI single to take back the lead.
The Knights threatened in the fifth after Bejarano singled and Emanuel reached on a James Madison error, but the Dukes managed to get out of the inning unharmed.
The battle ended with a 3-2 victory in favor of the Dukes. Alea White took the loss giving up five hits moving to 5-5 on the season.
Bejarano finished game two going 2-for-3, while Johnson collected a hit and two RBI from her first home run of the season.
After Saturday's contests, the Knights enter Sunday's matinee 8-6 overall.
On Deck
The Green and Gold Classic concludes on Sunday at 2 p.m. as the Knights due battle with host Jacksonville.
