STILLWATER, Okla. – The (RV) UCF softball team saw a rejuvenated offensive display during its 2023 OSU Mizuno Classic Finale Sunday afternoon, including a handful of standout freshman performances, but its four runs weren't quite enough to down the host No. 2 Oklahoma State Cowgirls in its 9-4 loss at Cowgirl Stadium.
After suffering shutout losses in both of their last two games, the Knights (18-16, 0-0 AAC) received a jumpstart at the plate courtesy of a pair of early home runs by veteran first baseman Shannon Doherty and breakout freshman phenom Aubrey Evans.
Doherty's second-inning homer, which immediately followed an inning-ending double play started by a Sarah Willis catch at the left field wall and a strong throw to first base to double off a Cowgirls baserunner, tied the game at one run apiece and snapped UCF's scoring drought at 15 straight innings.
It also broke Doherty's personal homer-less streak at 26 straight games, marking her third long ball of the year and her first since the team's 2023 Clearwater Invitational opener against Michigan Feb. 17. Doherty claimed sole possession of eighth place on the UCF all-time RBI list with the 108th RBI of her career, as well, and also a share of fourth place with Samantha McCloskey and Farrah Sullivan on the all-time home run list with the 23rd of her career.
Evans followed with the first home run of her collegiate career an inning later, a solo shot over the left center field wall that injected new life into the UCF dugout with the team's first lead of the day. The Knights would balloon their lead to two over the second-ranked Cowgirls in the top of the third, when freshman Shelli DiPuma was given the nod to pinch hit with the bases loaded and nobody out.
DiPuma worked the count full and drew a walk on the sixth pitch of her at-bat, forcing home UCF's third run of the day. She also reached base safely in her third consecutive at-bat following her key RBI single in the sixth inning to clinch Jewell's Friday no-hitter and an eight-pitch walk in the seventh inning of Saturday's loss to the Sun Devils.
Oklahoma State responded with three runs against Jewell, who had built her scoreless innings streak to 23 consecutive frames following her Friday no-hitter, in the home half of the third to take a 4-3 lead, and five more runs over the next two innings against the Knights pitching staff proved too tall a task to overcome.
Freshman right-hander Katelyn Cochran saw her number called in the bottom of the fifth inning, and in her first game action since Feb. 26 against Louisville, helped calm the Cowgirl offense with a scoreless inning that included her second strikeout of the season.
Knights star utility player Jada Cody continued to make history during the loss as well, as her sixth-inning RBI single pushed her into a tie for third place on the UCF all-time RBI list with the 136th of her career.
UP NEXT
The Knights will enjoy a week off following their trip through the cold Oklahoma weather before the commencement of conference play Friday afternoon, when UCF will host the Wichita State Shockers for the Knights' first three-game series of the season. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. from the UCF Softball Complex.