ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF softball starts American Athletic Conference play 2-0 after taking down the defending conference champion, Tulsa, 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the UCF Softball Complex capturing the series win.
Kyra Klarkowski and Hayley Bejarano each drove in a run for the Knights as they move to 20-12 on the season. Alea White threw another complete game striking out five and giving up one earned run for her 15th win of the season.
The Golden Hurricane drop to 19-13 overall and winless in conference play.
Tulsa struck first with a home run in the first inning for an early lead on the Knights, which would be the only run of the game for the visitors.
The Black and Gold knotted the score 1-1 in the second after Klarkowski tripled to right field and was able to score of a Tulsa overthrow.
In the third, the Knights tacked on a pair of hits when Denali Schappacher reached on a bunt followed by a single up the middle from Courtney Rotton. After a series of outs for the Knights, the score remained 1-1.
UCF secured the win in the fourth inning with Aubrey Johnson leading off with a single to right field. Jazmine Esparza laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Johnson into scoring position. With two outs and an 0-1 count, Bejarano singled down the right field line and Johnson came around to score. Schappacher extended the inning with a bloop single to left, but that would be all from the Knights assuring the 2-1 victory.
Schappacher and Rotton each ended the day going 2-for-3.
ON DECK
The final game of the series with Tulsa is slated for a 12 p.m. first pitch on Sunday. The game will feature live stats available via UCFKnights.com and a live stream found on UCFKnights.tv with Eric Lopez on the call.
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