ORLANDO – Two innings made the difference in an otherwise close softball game between the number one overall Washington Huskies and the UCF Knights on Wednesday, with the Knights dropping the contest, 12-3.
The Huskies struck first in the contest, posting a five-run inning thanks in large part to a three-run blast from their catcher Morganne Flores, putting them up 5-0 and chasing UCF start Alea White from the game. All told, White pitched two innings, allowing five earned and picking up her first loss of the season (3-1).
Despite the deficit, the Knights would not back down. With runners on first and second in the fourth, Kasey Fava knocked a base hit through the right side to score the first Knights run of the ballgame. Two innings later, Juliana Wilson knocked her first career home run to straight away center to cut the Washington lead to just 5-3.
Unfortunately, the Huskies' offense exploded in the seventh, posting a seven-run inning on seven hits and three walks, putting them out to the eventual final score of 12-3.
"That's the first time this season we have played a team of that caliber," said UCF Softball Head Coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "I think this group is really special and I like how we're going to bounce back and recover from it."
The Knights will take Thursday off before returning to the diamond Friday for the Knights Classic, a three-day tournament at The Plex beginning Friday and ending Sunday. UCF will do battle with Iowa State Friday night at 7:00 pm ET before playing two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
KEY MOMENTS
- Washington struck first in the contest, posting a five-run inning thanks in large part to a three-run blast from catcher Morganne Flores, putting the Huskies up 5-0.
- With runners on first and second in the fourth, Kasey Fava knocked a base hit through the right side to score the first Knights run of the ballgame.
- Jada Cody led off the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle and Juliana Wilson followed with a deep home run to straight away center field to cut into the Huskies' lead, making it 5-3.
- The Huskies' offense exploded once more in the seventh, posting a seven-run inning on seven hits and three walks, putting them out to the eventual final score of 12-3.
NOTABLES
- The contest marked the first matchup with Washington not played at a neutral site.
- The Juliana Wilson home run in the sixth marked her first in her collegiate career.
- The eight-run margin is the largest the Knights have lost by all season
- The five runs allowed from Alea White mark the most runs she has allowed since Feb. 16, 2018 when the Knights played Mississippi State.
UP NEXT
The Knights will take Thursday off before returning to the diamond Friday for the Knights Classic, a three-day tournament at The Plex beginning Friday and ending Sunday. UCF will do battle with Iowa State Friday night at 7:00 pm ET before playing two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
TICKETS FOR 2020
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2020 UCF softball season by calling (407) 823-1000 or online here.
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