Knights Walk Off Iowa State In NineKnights Walk Off Iowa State In Nine

Knights Walk Off Iowa State In Nine

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ORLANDO – Nine innings were needed to determine a winner between UCF and Iowa State on Friday, with the Knights prevailing, 3-2 in walk-off fashion to move to 6-2 on the season.

"That was such a good win. It was a bench win – our dugout came through for us," said UCF Softball Head Coach Cindy-Ball Malone as the Knights utilized seven players off their bench in the contest. "With the team and the depth that we have, I felt comfortable with every single one of them."
 


Knights' starting pitcher Gianna Mancha had everything working as she turned in her best performance of the season, striking out eight and allowing just three hits over 7 2/3 innings.

With both teams tied at one after regulation, extra innings were needed a determine a winner. Per tournament rules, a runner was placed on second base to begin the inning with no outs.

After scoring a run each in the eighth, the Knights kept the Cyclones off the board in the top of the ninth thanks in large part to a gem of a double play by shortstop Georgia Blair.

Karissa Ornelas stepped to the plate with a runner on third and less than two away, needing just a fly ball to win the game, and she delivered. Ornelas singled to right to drive home the winning run, giving UCF the 3-2 lead and their sixth win of the season.

KEY MOMENTS

  • A sacrifice fly brought in the first Iowa State run of the game in the second inning, putting them up 1-0.
  • With a runner on first and two away in the fifth, Damaria Cannon laid down a perfect bunt and an errant throw from the Iowa State third baseman allowed the run to score, tying the game at one apiece.
  • With a runner on second to start the inning, Iowa State capitalized, scoring a run to go up, 2-1 on UCF.
  • In the bottom of the frame, Shannon Doherty hit a sacrifice-fly to send Jazmine Esparza across the plate, knotting the game at two apiece.
  • With Montana Szara on third in the ninth, Karissa Ornelas hit a single to right field to walk it off and give the Knights the 3-2 win.

NOTABLES

  • The game marked the 10th time UCF Softball has played on Valentine's Day.
  • Gianna Mancha was tossing a one-hitter through six complete innings.
  • This matchup marked UCF's first extra-inning game of the season.
  • The game marked Alea White's 70th career win as a Knight. She becomes just the fourth UCF pitcher to reach the mark.

UP NEXT
The Knights will take continue the Knights Classic Saturday with two games. They play Villanova at 3:30 p.m. before taking on Iowa State at 6:00 pm.

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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