STOCKTON, Calif. - The UCF softball team started its west coast road trip off with a bang by shutting out Pacific 8-0 on Tuesday night for its fifth consecutive win. Head coach Cindy Ball-Malone was victorious in her first time coaching against her former team in Pacific, where she was a two-time All-American.
"Earlier this morning I was like 'this is fine, we're here and its just like being back home'" said Ball-Malone. "But when we got suited up and got on the bus to come to the game I got a little emotional and choked up. This place has been home and it helped me find my identity, love and passion for the sport. It just spoke tonight too of the incredible people that are here that I met and helped me along the way. I'm proud of Team XXI. To be able to share who Team XXI is and what we're about with some really important people in my life, it can get a little emotional. It was an awesome moment and experience, and I love that our pitchers threw well too, so I'm proud for that."
The Knights came out of the gate running in the first. Johneisha Rowe led off the game with a single to shortstop and then proceeded to steal second, which put her into scoring position for Kennedy Searcy. Searcy made the stolen base pay off by singling down the left field line, scoring Rowe for the first run of the game. After a hit by pitch and a walk, the bases were loaded with one out, Maddie Bejarano singled through the left side, advancing two runners and scoring Searcy making it a 2-0 ballgame.
The first inning didn't stop there. With two outs in the inning and the bases still loaded, Justene Molina walked, forcing in the Knights' third run of the inning. California native, Micaela Macario, was next and promptly singled up the middle scoring two, giving the Knights a 5-0 lead. In her second time at bat in the inning, Rowe scored Molina on a bunt single, leading to the sixth and final run of the inning.
Things were quiet until the top of the fifth, where Denali Schappacher singled to shortstop with one out and then stole second. Molina then tripled to left center, scoring Schappacher from second, giving her a second RBI on the night. The triple was Molina's third of her career and first since February of 2020. With Molina still on third, Rowe reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, leading to the final run being scored as the Knights were on their way to another run-rule victory.
Along with a strong offensive performance, pitcher Kama Woodall got the start and the win, throwing four dominant shutout innings while collecting six strikeouts. She was relieved in favor of Gianna Mancha who came in and struck out all three batters she faced, securing UCF's third straight run-rule victory and fifth consecutive win.
It wasn't just a homecoming for Ball-Malone, but also for 11 student-athletes who hail from the Golden State. Assistant coach Whitney Jones is also originally from California, meaning about half the team and staff all began their journey in The Golden State.
UP NEXT
The Knights continue their west coast swing as they'll visit Fresno State on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
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