UCF Softball Primed for Knights Classic

ORLANDO – UCF Softball will look to continue its strong start to the 2020 season on Friday as they host the Knights Classic, a three-day tournament that invites four other teams to town for constant action throughout the weekend. UCF will play four games in the tournament, including Friday at 7:00 pm, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday.

All UCF games will be streamed live on UCFKnights.TV and live stats will be available for all 12 matchups.
 
The Knights are off to an overall record of 5-2 to begin the season after falling to No. 1 Washington on Wednesday. They went 4-1 in The Black and Gold tournament last weekend to kick off the year.

The five-team Knights Classic tournament includes Iowa State, Villanova, FAU, Penn St. and UCF. The tournament will mark UCF's second of three home tournaments this season.

You can view the full tournament schedule, inclusive of both UCF and neutral site games here.

THE OPPONENTS

• Friday – vs. Iowa State – 7 pm

  • All-time record vs Iowa State: 1-1
  • Last meeting: 2017, W, 11-3
• Saturday – Villanova and Iowa State – 3:30 pm / 6:00 pm
  • All-time record vs Villanova: 4-3
  • Last meeting: 2013, W, 3-0
• Sunday – vs. FAU –1:30 pm
  • All-time record vs FAU: 11-15
  • Last meeting: 2018, W, 2-1

KNIGHT BITES

• LAST TIME OUT – The Knights played a mid-week against No. 1 ranked Washington on Wednesday, falling 12-3. Two innings made the difference in an otherwise close softball game as the Huskies posted a five-run second and a seven-run seventh. To read the full recap from that game, inclusive of insight from coach Bear, click here.
• HOT START – UCF started the season off on a high note, shutting out Indiana on Opening Knight to defeat them by a score of 8-0. They followed that up by going 4-1 over the weekend. After the loss to Washington on Wednesday, their season record is 5-2. Everything was working for Coach Bear and company in The Black and Gold Tournament, from hot bats that were setting records to a solid pitching staff that had a combined ERA of just 1.70 coming into Monday.
• SWEEPING PLAYER OF THE WEEK – UCF Softball is being recognized for its historic start to the 2020 campaign as the American Athletic Conference named Justene Molina and Alea White the league's Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively on Monday. White appeared in three games on Opening Weekend, tossing six scoreless innings opening night against Indiana and striking out eight to lead the Knights to victory. In four total appearances, White had 19 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, allowed just four earned runs and was 3-0. Likewise, Molina slashed .600/.647/.943 with a home run (the first in her UCF career) and 10 RBI to earn the award. It was the first time the Knights earned both Player and Pitcher of the Week honors in the same week since May 8, 2017 when Alea White and Cassady Brewer each earned the award.
• OFFENSE ON FIRE – The UCF offense is off to a record hot start in 2020. With contributions from up and down the lineup, the Knights posted 40 combined runs through the first six games, marking the most runs scored through any first six games in program history. The Black and Gold also run ruled their first three opponents of the season, a first in UCF Softball history. On Sunday, UCF posted 13 combined walks against St. John's, breaking the school record for most walks in a game of 12, recorded on 5/5/18 vs. ECU. Three Knights are currently batting over .400 and four Knights already have one home run on the season.

FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Stay tuned to UCF Softball on Facebook (/UCFSoftball), Twitter (@UCF_Softball) and Instagram (@UCF.Softball) for the latest on the UCF Softball team.

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