ORLANDO – The series finale between No. 25 Wichita State and No. 23 UCF at the UCF Softball Complex was a pitchers' duel to the end on Sunday, as neither the Knights nor the Shockers would score, and after 11 innings, the game was ruled a 0-0 tie due to time constraints pertaining to Wichita State travel arrangements.
Wichita State threatened earlier in the ballgame, loading the bases in the first inning, but UCF starting pitcher Alea White would not waiver. White escaped the jam and went on to allow just two hits over the next 10 innings, keeping Wichita State off the board and striking out eight for what amounted to the longest complete game shutout of her career.
White's dominance was equally matched on the other side of the ball as Wichita State starting pitcher Cailtin Bingham also tossed a complete game shutout, allowing no UCF runs on eight hits and three strikeouts.
Following seven innings of regulation, neither side had scored, sending the game to extra innings.
After four scoreless innings of extra inning softball, the Knights threatened with runners on first and third and just one away in the bottom of the 11th, but the game was immediately called off at 2:00 p.m. as part of a previous agreement between the two sides due to travel constraints on the part of Wichita State.
The Knights will enjoy the day off on Monday before welcoming the world No. 1 ranked USA Softball team to the UCF Softball Complex on Tuesday, April 20 for a 10-inning exhibition beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Key Moments
- The Shockers loaded the bases in the top of the sixth but Alea White struck out the final batter of the inning to escape the jam and maintain the 0-0 tie.
- The Knights threatened with a runner on third base in the fourth inning but were unable to capitalize.
- Allyse Volpe led off the bottom of the sixth for the Knights with a leadoff triple, but was unable to score, sending the game to the seventh inning still scoreless.
- The Knights threatened with runners on first and third and just one away in the bottom of the 11th, but the game was immediately called off at 2:00 p.m. as part of a previous agreement between the two sides due to travel constraints on the part of Wichita State.
NOTABLES
- The tie was the first for the Knights in 2021.
- UCF has had a game end in a tie for two consecutive years now (2020 – Minnesota, 5-5).
- The tie was the first in UCF Softball Complex history.
- The Knights stranded a runner on base in the final six frames of the game.
- The 11-inning shutout marked the longest of Alea White's career.
- With the complete game, White passed Allison Kime (2006-08) as UCF's all-time complete game leader (98).
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