Pitching Dominates as UCF Sweeps Saturday SlatePitching Dominates as UCF Sweeps Saturday Slate

Pitching Dominates as UCF Sweeps Saturday Slate

Opens in a new window Box Score vs. Fresno State (PDF) Opens in a new window Box Score vs. Longwood (PDF)

ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF softball team swept its Saturday doubleheader to wrap up the CFX Classic, beating Fresno State 6-1 and Longwood 9-1 to improve to 3-1 in 2022.

The Knights' pitching was dominant from the start. Rookie Kaitlyn Felton made an incredible debut against Fresno State while Gianna Mancha owned the circle from the first pitch to the last, earning a complete game over Longwood in five innings. The pitching staff combined allowed just two runs and four hits over 12 innings of work.

Jada Cody was unstoppable at the plate. In both games combined, Cody hit for the cycle, went 4-for-6 and collected eight RBI before all was said done. The entire offense was clicking, as the Knights compiled 15 hits across the two contests.

"I think when you have dominant pitching performances, it lets you play loose and free offensively," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "We got to see output from a lot of people on the team and got to use our bench. We have a dynamic team and you got to see that. I like that we played more of our game today; still want to clean some things up and put the ball in play our way when runners are in scoring position."

GAME ONE
The Knights got going early as Denali Schappacher and Johneisha Rowe drew leadoff walks, making way for Jada Cody. The sophomore got ahold of a 3-1 pitch and sent it out of the park, giving the Black and Gold the early 3-0 lead.

UCF added one more in the third which was set up by a Shannon Doherty triple. Ashleigh Griffin slapped one the other way for her first collegiate hit and RBI, putting the Black and Gold in front 4-0.

The Knights tacked on a pair of insurance runs in their half of the sixth as Kennedy Searcy earned a pinch hit double off the bench, driving in a run for her first hit and RBI of 2022. Searcy eventually came around to score on a Cody double to left center, getting UCF to half a dozen runs.

The freshman Felton was dealing from the circle right from the start. Her collegiate debut began with two strikeouts in the first inning and her success continued from there. She worked six innings of two-hit softball before getting relieved with two runners on in the top of the seventh.

Kama Woodall came in to relieve Felton and saw one run come across unearned, but otherwise shut down the Bulldogs. She faced five batters, striking out three and sealing the win for the Knights.

GAME TWO
UCF once again got on the board early in game two as Doherty smashed one by the second basemen to drive in Cody.

The second saw two more come across to score, as Longwood loaded the bases with Knights. Cody got hit by a pitch before Doherty walked on four straight pitches.

It was all gas and no brakes for the Black and Gold in the third as they continued to pile on the runs. The Knights put a five spot on the scoreboard, and Justene Molina got things going with a double down the left field line with one away in the inning. Molina went on to steal third before Maddie Bejarano drew a walk to climb aboard. Later in the at bat, the two executed a double steal of second and home, but Bejarano was thrown out returning to second. UCF's rally was just getting started with two away as they drew three straight walks, bringing Cody to the plate. She was able to drop a popup just inside fair territory where a Lancer couldn't corral it, sending all three Knight runners home. The throw back into the infield went to the backstop, allowing Cody to score on the error.

Longwood got their only run of the game in the top of the fourth, as Emil Vinson singled through the right side of the infield to lead off the inning and later advanced two bags on a wild pitch. She came home to score on a Ko Anderson sacrifice fly.

UCF again found themselves with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth thanks to two singles and a hit by pitch. With ducks on the pond, Damaria Cannon drew a walk on a 3-2 count, plating the Knights' 9th run of the ballgame.

Mancha was in command all game long from the circle and had a no-hitter through three innings. The lone hit she surrendered was in the fourth inning, which eventually came around to score. Mancha punched out four while walking just one.

UCF as a team drew 10 walks in the contest, matching the season high they compiled on opening night against No. 12 Georgia.

UP NEXT
The Knights will host No. 24 Liberty in a midweek contest on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.

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