ORLANDO – The Knights offense exploded on Saturday, taking down McNeese State 11-3 at the UCF Softball Complex to complete the sweep and move UCF to 9-2 on the season.
"It was important to get a lot of runs early on, especially because we started a freshman on the mound in Grace Jewell. It just gave her that confidence in the circle where she didn't have to worry about much except just doing her thing." said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "To have the ability to beat a team without having to throw Alea White or Gianna Mancha… it's awesome to be able to get that win and shut them down."
Offensively, everything was working for the Knights in the victory. UCF recorded five straight hits to start off their half of the first inning and batted through the lineup, posting seven runs. In the second, the Knights' bats stayed hot to add another four runs to their lead, making it an 11-1 ballgame.
"We have been preparing for this game all week. So, I think everything just came together and we hit the ball hard and we hit it good," said UCF center fielder and freshman Katie Burge.
Burge was 2-for-2 at the plate, including a two-RBI double in the second.
In the circle, coach Ball-Malone utilized a trio of arms to get the job done. Freshman Grace Jewell (1-0) got the call to start in her first career game and did not disappoint, tossing three innings and allowing just one earned on two hits to earn her first career win. Jewell was followed by Angelina DeVoe and Breanna Vasquez out of the bullpen. DeVoe pitched one inning, allowing one earned run. Vasquez closed the game out, allowing no runs and striking out one in one inning of work.
Key Moments
- The second batter of the game, Cori McCrary hit a solo shot to center field to give the Cowgirls the early 1-0 lead.
- The Knights' fist three batters singled and, with the bases loaded, UCF cleanup hitter Jazmine Esparza singled to center for an RBI to tie the game at one.
- The next batter, Juliana Wilson, hit a bases clearing double to left field to put the Knights out in front 4-1.
- Later in the same inning, Katie Burge singled to right to drive in another run for UCF and extend the lead to 5-1.
- Justene Molina followed with a two-run shot to left-center field, putting the black and golds lead at 7-1.
- With two away in the second, Doherty singled up the middle to drive in a run and extend the Knights' lead to 8-1.
- Denali Schappacher followed with a single up the middle of her own to put UCF up 9-1.
- Still in the second, Katie Burge ripped a double to left-center to drive in UCF runs No. 10 and 11.
- McNeese rallied for two runs in the top of the fourth to make it a 11-3 ballgame.
NOTABLES
- The Knights rallied for a season-high seven runs in the first inning
- UCF started off the game with five straight hits
- UCF tacked on four more in the second
- Grace Jewell got her first career start and win in the game
- Justene Molina hit her first home run of the season in the first inning
UP NEXT
The Knights will continue their homestand with a solo game against UNF next Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m.
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