ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF softball team and head coach Cindy Ball-Malone picked up their first wins of the season after defeating No. 24 Ohio State, 3-2, and George Mason, 7-0.
The victory over Ohio State gave Ball-Malone her 100th victory as a head coach in Division I.
UCF tallied 12 total hits on the day with 10 runs, eight walks, and six doubles between the two games. As a team, the Knights compiled 21 total bases.
Alicia Tomberlin, Jazmine Esparza, and Hayley Bejarano led the way for UCF with two hits each with Tomberlin pacing the Knights with four RBI.
The Knights even out their season at 2-2, while Breanna Vasquez and Alea White also level out their record at 1-1 each after they both picked up wins Saturday.
Things You Need To Know:
- Tomberlin went 2-for-2 in her first appearance as a Knight recording a double and a home run while getting the start behind the plate.
- Kendyl Lange and Savannah Julylia made their first appearances of 2019, both in the outfield. Lange snagged her first hit in game two on the day.
- Nine different Knights recorded at least one hit in the shutout victory over George Mason.
- Takiya London picked up her first hit as a Knight late in the game against George Mason.
- Tamesha Glover went 1-for-4 Saturday and drew four walks, three of which were against Ohio State.
- White picked up her first win of the season tossing a complete game giving up 10 hits, two runs, two walks and struck out six
- Vasquez threw her first complete game and shutout facing 26 batters grabbing five strikeouts and allowing just five hits.
Scoring:
Game 1 vs Ohio State
OSU: 1-0 | 1st | Nicholson homered to left field.
OSU: 2-0 | 4th | Farrah singled through the left side to score Constable.
UCF: 3-2 | 5th | Karissa Ornelas drew a walk to start the inning and was replaced with Erin Emanuel. Glover also drew a walk to put two runners on. Cassady Brewer ripped a shot up the middle and loaded the bases. After Lange entered the game to pinch run for Brewer, Emanuel was able to score off a wild pitch to even the score. With runners in scoring position, Esparza delivered a double down the left field line to bring in Glover and Lange.
Game 2 vs George Mason
UCF: 1-0 |2nd | Esparza led the inning off with a single and Denali Schappacher followed getting on base after being hit by a pitch. UCF put on the double steal putting Esparza and Schappacher in scoring position for Tomberlin who put up a sacrifice fly to center to score Esparza.
UCF: 3-0| 3rd | Glover started the inning with a double off the wall in center field and Bejarano answered with a double of her own scoring Glover. Esparza hit a deep fly ball to right field for a sacrifice fly as Bejarano was able to score from second base.
UCF: 4-0 | 4th | Kyra Klarkowski doubled to left field and advanced to third off a wild pitch. Tomberlin worked a full count and ripped a shot to center field for a double and scoring Klarkowski.
UCF: 6-0 | 5th | Tomberlin homered to left field
UCF: 7-0 | 6th | London doubled off the left field fence to bring in Lange from second base
Next Up:
The Knights conclude the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament against North Florida at 3:30pm at the UCF Softball Complex. A live stream and live stats will be available.
TICKETS FOR 2019
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2019 UCF softball season by calling (407) 823-1000 or online here: https://ucfknights.co/2RYIOhq. Single game tickets go on sale February 1.
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