ORLANDO – With a 9-1 win over LIU Friday night at the UCF Softball Complex in Orlando, Fla., the UCF Softball team secured the best start in program history as it moved to 14-2 on the year. The win marked the ninth straight for the Knights and the eighth by virtue of run rule.
The Knights' offense seemed to score at will in the contest. Led by Georgia Blair and Jada Cody, UCF posted 11 total hits in just five innings to earn their ninth straight win.
In the circle, Gianna Mancha took the lead and ran with it. In her fifth start of the season, the junior transfer tossed a five-inning complete game, allowing one run on three hits and striking out six to earn the victory.
"I'm just proud to be their coach," said UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "They just keep doing what they're doing, and they have a lot of fun. I'm proud of their efforts and their execution."
KEY MOMENTS
- Georgia Blair reached on a double down the left field line in the first and came around to score courtesy of a Jada Cody RBI single up the middle, putting UCF up 1-0 early.
- Blair added another run to the board with a double to left that almost left the park, putting UCF up 2-0.
- Jada Cody followed with a double of her own to right, driving in two and putting the Knights ahead, 4-0.
- Denali Schappacher came around to score on an LIU wild pitch to extend the UCF lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third.
- An LIU RBI double got them on the board in the fourth, making it a 5-1 score.
- The Knights loaded the bases in the fifth and a Kyra Klarkowski single brought in a run to make it a 6-1 UCF lead.
- With the bases still loaded, Jazmine Esparza knocked a single up the middle to drive in a pair.
- The next batter, Aubrey Johnson, pinch hit and walked it off for UCF with a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Justene Molina and give the Knights the 9-1 win.
NOTABLES
- With the win, UCF moved to 14-2 on the year. That record marks the best start in program history.
- Gianna Mancha earned her fourth win of the season on the mound.
- Georgia Blair went 3-for-3 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored.
- Jada Cody went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
- The win marked the eighth run rule victory of the season.
ON DECK
The Knights will face Longwood in the first of two games on Saturday at 6:00 pm before playing them again Sunday at 2:30 pm.
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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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