ORLANDO – The Knights' stretched their win streak to 10 straight games on Saturday thanks in large part to the efforts of senior hurler Alea White, who tossed a one hitter to lead UCF to the 3-1 victory over Longwood at the UCF Softball Complex in Orlando, Fla. The win moves UCF to a program best 15-2 start on the season.
White had it all working in the win over the Lancers. She allowed the first batter of the ballgame to reach on a double but that was the lone hit of the night for Longwood. White struck out 12 in the contest, allowing just one run on one hit and walking three for career win number 74. She needs just six more to tie UCF all-time career wins leader Shelby Turnier (2013-2016).
On the offensive side of the ball, the Knights took advantage of two key Longwood errors to score a pair and a Justene Molina RBI single would give the Knights three runs on the night, marking the lowest number of runs UCF has scored since its 3-2 win over Iowa State on February 14.
"Great teams find ways to win and that is what we did," said UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "We're not going to hit the ball the way we have been in every win… for [Alea] to have the ability to adapt and adjust as she did, it just speaks to her talent, her composure and her senior leadership… when you're a top-level pitcher, that is what you do."
KEY MOMENTS
- The Longwood leadoff batter reached to start the game and came around to score on a sacrifice fly, putting the Lancers up 1-0.
- In the bottom of the second, Denali Schappacher reached on a perfectly placed bunt and came around to score on a Longwood error, tying the game at one.
- The Knights scored two in the bottom of the fourth as Takiya London crossed the plate following an overthrow from the Lancers backstop and Justene Molina hit an RBI single to left to drive in Karissa Ornelas, putting UCF up 3-1.
NOTABLES
- The last time the Knights played on Leap Day was February 29, 2008.
- Alea White had eight strikeouts through her first five innings pitched.
- With a 12-game hit streak, Shannon Doherty records the longest for a freshman since Stephanie Best in 2003, who recorded a hit in 13 straight contests.
- Alea White finished the game with 12 strikeouts, tying her own career high from the Knights' game against Coastal Carolina on February 22, 2019.
- White allowed just one hit in the contest.
ON DECK
The Knights will play the final game of the UCF Invitational against Longwood on Sunday at 2:30 pm.
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