ORLANDO – The UCF Softball team secured its third and fourth straight victories to begin the 2020 campaign on Saturday, taking down Clemson and Duke at the UCF Softball Complex in Orlando, Fla.
Behind two solid pitching performances, including a one-hitter from Breanna Vasquez, the Knights' continued to fire on all cylinders to begin the season as they combined for 13 runs while allowing just two on the day.
"We're playing loose and they're having fun," said UCF Softball Head Coach Cindy-Ball Malone. "They keep getting better with every game we play… so it's fun to see that, and they are having fun while they are doing it."
The Knights will wrap up Opening Weekend on Sunday as they play another two games. They begin the day with Duke at 11:00 am before ending things against St. John's at 1:00 pm.
UCF 8 // Clemson 0
The Knights continued their string of dominance in game one against Clemson as they were firing on all cylinders with Breanna Vasquez tossing a one-hitter and the offense exploding for eight runs.
Vasquez, who enters her sophomore season with UCF, tossed five frames of one-hit ball, allowing no runs and striking out eight to earn the victory.
She was supported by a strong offensive attack that included three-RBI performances from Karissa Ornelas and Justene Molina. The pair now lead UCF in batting average, hitting at a .636 and .625 clip, respectively.
The win marked the first against Clemson as it was the first time the Knights had ever faced the Tigers, with 2020 being their inaugural season.
KEY MOMENTS
- Karissa Ornelas got the scoring started for the Knights with a RBI single through the right side of the infield to drive in Juliana Wilson.
- Kasey Fava followed with a triple down the left field line that stayed just fair to bring in Wilson, putting UCF up, 2-0.
- The next batter, Justene Molina ripped a single up the middle to score Fava and give the Knights the 3-0 lead.
- Karissa Ornelas came up clutch again in the third as she drove in Juliana Wilson and Georgia Blair, extending the UCF lead to 5-0.
- Justene Molina recorded another base hit to right field to drive in a pair and push the Knights out to a 7-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the fourth, Georgia Blair singled to center to drive in the eighth UCF run of the ballgame. With a clean fourth and fifth innings, UCF run ruled Clemson by a final score of 8-0.
UCF 5 // Duke 2
The second win of the day came against the Duke Blue Devils, with the Knights taking the game by a score of 5-2.
Alea White earned the victory for UCF after throwing seven innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out six. She is now 2-0 to begin the season.
After trading blows to begin the game, Jazmine Esparza doubled to left in the fourth to drive in Kasey Fava, putting the Knights back in the driver's seat with a 2-1 lead.
Molina continued her strong start to the 2020 season, tripling to right-center to pad the Knights lead and put them up, 5-1. Duke answered back in the sixth with a run of their own in the form of a solo shot, but it would not be enough as UCF went on to win the game, 5-2.
KEY MOMENTS
- With Georgia Blair on second, Jada Cody laid down a perfect bunt in front of home plate. A throwing error from the catcher allowed Blair to come around to score for UCF's first run of the game.
- A bloop single to center field drove in the first Duke run of the ball game to tie the ballgame at one.
- Jazmine Esparza doubled to left in the fourth to drive in Kasey Fava, putting the Knights back in the driver's seat with a 2-1 lead.
- Esparza came around to score later in the inning on a Georgia Blair groundout.
- A Justene Molina triple in the fifth padded the Knights' lead, putting them up 5-2.
- Duke answered back in the sixth with a run of their own in the form of a solo shot, but it would not be enough as UCF went on to win the game, 5-2.
NOTABLES
- The 8-0 win over Clemson marked the third straight victory by run rule to begin the 2020 season, the most in program history to open a year.
- The Knights' 27 runs scored in their first three games are the most ever in the first three games in program history.
- The first game of the day marked the first matchup pitting the Knights against Clemson.
- Likewise, the game against Duke was the first in UCF Softball history.
- With the single in the third inning, Denali Schappacher recorded her 100th career hit.
- Alea White made her 100th career start when she took the circle against Duke.
- Alea White is just fifth UCF pitcher to reach 700+ innings in her career.
- UCF starts 4-0 for the first time since the 2016 season.
- All four wins are against Power6 teams.
UP NEXT
The Knights will wrap up Opening Weekend on Sunday as they play another two games. They begin the day with Duke at 11:00 am before ending things against St. John's at 1:00 pm.
TICKETS FOR 2020
Fans can purchase tickets for the 2020 UCF softball season by calling (407) 823-1000 or online here.
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.
GET THE APP
Never miss any UCF Knights news from your favorite team by downloading the free UCF Knights app right to your iOS or Android phone! The app provides personalized information for men's and women's teams, scores, schedules, loyalty programs and even breaking news. Download the app here.