TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - A late-inning rally from the Knights came up short as they fell to USF, 2-1, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at the USF Softball Complex.
Denali Schappacher went 1-for-3 and drove in the lone run for UCF, while Cassady Brewer picked up a hit improving her on-base streak to 19 games. Erin Emanuel and Aubrey Johnson each collected a hit for the Knights in the loss.
The USF Bulls attacked first bringing in a pair of runs on three hits to take a quick 2-0 lead on the Knights in the first inning.
The Knights' defense recorded two back-to-back perfect innings and didn't allow another Bulls baserunner until the fourth inning.
UCF answered in the sixth when Erin Emanuel led the inning off with a double to the gap in left center. Schappacher wasted no time swinging on the first pitch delivering a single to left to plate Emanuel to narrow the Bulls lead to 2-1.
Cassady Brewer kept the inning going with a single up the middle moving Schappacher over to third, but that would be all from the Knights' as their rally was cut short.
The Knights held the Bulls to five hits, two of which came after the first inning.
Cierra Word took the loss for the Knights, while Alea White came in and threw 5.2 innings allowing just two hits and striking out five Bulls.
UCF moves to 31-21 on the season and 9-9 in the American Athletic Conference, while USF improves to 34-19 overall and 12-6 in The American.
ON DECK
The Knights return for their final home series of the season taking on Eastern Carolina for a three-game set. Seniors Megan Greenwell and Courtney Rotton will be honored as they play their last home games at the UCF Softball Complex as Knights.
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