ORLANDO – The Knights' offense exploded for a nine-run third inning and Alea White was lights out in the circle as UCF took down No. 12 Tennessee Lady Vols, 10-1 Friday afternoon at the USF Softball Complex in Tampa, Fla.
The offense was on full display in the contest as UCF combined for 10 runs on 10 hits and three walks on the day. Six players in the starting lineup each contributed with at least one hit, including Jada Cody, who went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in the third inning that put UCF up 9-0.
In the circle, UCF starting pitcher Alea White took the lead and ran with it. White tossed five innings, allowing five hits and striking out five to earn the win, moving her to 6-1 on the year. The win marked White's 72nd of her career, giving her sole possession of third place all-time at UCF.
"I was proud of the focus and discipline I saw from our squad today," said UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "We have been playing our best game, regardless of the opponent. This lineup, from one threw twenty-six, can do many things to put up runs. Alea [White] once again threw a solid game for us and our defense made some great plays behind her. Consistent pitching, routine defense and clutch hitting is what created the momentum for the big offensive inning, and I am excited to see how our group responds tomorrow."
KEY MOMENTS
- The Knights struck first in the bottom of the first as Denali Schappacher singled down the left field line to drive in Jada Cody, who reached on an infield single earlier in the inning.
- Kyra Klarkowski laid down a bunt with the bases loaded in the third, and a Lady Vols error allowed her to reach and a run to score, putting UCF up 2-0.
- The following batter, Justene Molina, walked to bring in another UCF run.
- The Knights kept the line moving as Jazmine Esparza knocked a bases clearing double to right to extend the UCF lead to 6-0.
- Still in the third inning, with two runners on, Jada Cody hit a three-run home run to left field to put the Knights up 9-0.
- Shannon Doherty followed with a solo home run, the first of her career, to put UCF up, 10-0.
- Tennessee scored its lone run of the ballgame with an RBI single up the middle in the fourth, making it a 10-1 ballgame.
NOTABLES
- The 10-1 score marked the largest UCF margin of victory over a Top 25 team in program history, surpassing the 8-1 win over then No. 5 Alabama on Feb. 12, 2016.
- The victory marked the sixth win by run rule this season for UCF, surpassing the number of wins by run rule over the last two seasons combined (two in 2019, three in 2018).
- The win marked the first UCF win against a ranked team since April 4, 2018, when the Knights took down then No. 4 Florida.
- The victory was the first over a Top 25 team on the road since March 2, 2018, when the Knights took down then No. 22 Long Beach State.
- The home run from Shannon Doherty in the third marked the first of her career.
UP NEXT
UCF will do battle with the Lady Vols once more on Saturday at 9:00 am before taking on FIU at 11:30 am. The Knights will wrap up the USF Invitational on Sunday with another game against FIU at 9:00 am before heading home.
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