SAN DIEGO, Calif. (UCFKnights.com) - Tamesha Glover blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning against the Santa Clara Broncos Saturday morning to lead the Knights to a 9-1 victory to wrap up the San Diego Classic.
Kaitlyn Jensen hit her third home run of the tournament and went 2-for-3 with three RBI in the win, while Denali Schappacher added two hits and an RBI. Newcomer Alyssa Oakes collected her first collegiate hits smacking two doubles into center field.
Alea White grabbed her eighth win of the season giving up only four hits and striking out six Santa Clara batters in the win.
With the win, the Knights improve to 11-8 overall and lead The American in wins.
UCF took no time to get warmed up as they quickly loaded the bases after Schappacher and Megan Greenwell each delivered singles and Courtney Rotton drew a walk. Schappacher was caught stealing, but Aubrey Johnson walked to load the bases for Glover. On a 2-1 count, Glover connected and blasted a shot over the left field fence for her first career grand slam.
In the top of the third, Jensen hit her third home run of the San Diego Classic to left field for a solo shot to put the Knights up 5-0.
The Broncos were hitless until the fourth inning after they strung together a trio of hits and one run to shrink the Knights' lead to 5-1.
UCF gained more ground in the fourth inning after Oakes led off the inning with a double and scored after Schappacher singled through the right side. Greenwell followed with a single up the middle and Jensen drove Schappacher and Greenwell in with a double giving her three RBI on the day as the Knights went up 8-1 on the Broncos. Johnson then singled and advanced to second on the throw allowing Jensen to score and extend the Knights' lead to eight runs.
The UCF defense shut the Santa Clara offense down in the fifth inning to initiate the run rule and secure the victory.
UCF ended the morning with nine runs, 10 hits, and one error.
The Knights finished the weekend 2-2 including a shutout victory over No. 22 Long Beach State.
ON DECK
UCF is back home on Tuesday, March 6 hosting Virginia Tech at 12:30p.m. and Ball State at 3 p.m. Both games will be streamed via UCFKnights.tv and live stats will be available on Gametracker.
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