MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Knights continued their hot stay in Memphis on Saturday, posting eight unanswered runs while UCF starting pitcher Alea White tossed a shutout in the circle to guide UCF to an 8-0 win over the Tigers.
Following the win, UCF moves to 33-12-1, 12-6-1 on the season.
The two sides battled through rough weather throughout the first couple of innings, preventing either side from scoring any runs. In the second inning, the game went into an hour-long rain delay.
When play resumed, White took the circle with a runner on third and just one out. She went on to strike out the next two batters swinging to end the inning and escape the jam, maintaining the 0-0 tie.
White would go on to throw a complete game shutout, her seventh of the year, allowing just four hits while striking out five. With the win, she moves to 17-4 on the season.
"It was another good outing for Alea despite having to battle the weather," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "You can't ask for much more than what she gave us. She really kept the momentum in our hands the entire game and allowed us to get back into the dugout and swing our bats."
And swing the bats the Knights did. UCF posted eight runs on 10 hits, including a momentum-shifting three-run home run off the bat of right fielder Juliana Wilson in the top of the third. The Knights would go on to post six runs total in the third inning to take a 6-0 lead over the Tigers. A two-run double from Jazmine Esparza later in the game would give UCF the 8-0 lead, and White would close the door in the eighth to secure the win and clinch the series for the Black and Gold.
"We're swinging loose and playing free, something we haven't done as much since we started in conference, so it feels really good to be us again," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "We are laughing and smiling so much right now, and I think that's the most fun part about it."
The Knights will wrap up their series with the Tigers on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Key Moments
- With two runners on in the top of the third, UCF right fielder Juliana Wilson hit a three-run home run to give UCF the 3-0 lead over the Tigers.
- Kyra Klarkowski drove in a run later in the inning via an RBI single to right center field, extending the Knights' lead to 4-0.
- The Knights tacked on another run in the third on an RBI groundout by Hayley Bejarano.
- Jada Cody drove in another UCF run in the third on an RBI single, making it a 6-0 Knights lead.
- Jazmine Esparza doubled to drive in two more in the seventh, extending UCF's lead to 8-0.
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