ORLANDO – As has been the case throughout the first half of the 2023 campaign, a bit of home cooking was exactly what the (RV) UCF softball team needed to right the ship on the heels of a brief skid on the road.
In the official start of conference play within the American Athletic Conference, or "Phase 2" as a handful of Knights players posted on social media, yet another dominant Sarah Willis start made a trio of early UCF runs stand up in the Knights' 3-1 win over the No. 22 Wichita State Shockers at the UCF Softball Complex Friday night.
The Knights' (19-16, 1-0 AAC) series-opening win marked the team's 15th on its home turf this season, as the squad moved to 11 games north of .500 with a 15-4 record through 19 games at 'The Plex.' The contest also marked UCF's fifth straight game against a ranked opponent following four matchups against then-No. 22 Arizona State and No. 2 Oklahoma State during last weekend's OSU Mizuno Classic.
"It's always good softball," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said of the annual matchup with the Shockers. "Two really competitive, spicy, gritty teams getting after it. I just like how we came out very aggressive straight out of the gate. First pitch on, we were ready to roll."
Indeed, after an early Shockers (24-7, 0-1 AAC) run by way of an Addison Barnard solo homer to center field in the top of the first inning, the Knights drew up a quick counterpunch with a pair of tallies in the home half.
Each of the first three UCF hitters to take their hacks reached base safely against starter Alison Cooper, beginning with shortstop Jasmine Williams continuing her strong approach from the leadoff spot with a single to second base.
Third baseman Jada Cody wasted little time continuing the rally, working the count full before clubbing a 3-2 offering off the center field wall. Her deep drive provided Williams ample time to scamper around from first base to tie the game, and Cody notched her third triple of the season behind her, tying her 2022 season high.
The Murrieta, California, native also recorded the 137th RBI of her career, breaking a tie with Farrah Sullivan for third-most on the UCF all-time list and moving within three RBI of tying Jania Shinhoster's second-place total of 140.
"I was seeing the ball really well, and having 'Jas' on base, I knew that we needed a little more momentum with that first home run on their side," Cody said. "It was definitely important for me to get on and I knew what I had to do with that at-bat."
Breakout freshman utility infielder Aubrey Evans was next, lining the third pitch of her at-bat down the left field line, a drive that would prove the game-winner and provide the Apopka, Florida, native with her team-leading 10th double of the season.
Evans added a bit of insurance the following inning, plating Cody, who had doubled, with a line drive single to left field to balloon the UCF lead to 3-1. Following Evans' second hit, the freshman had gone 3-for-5 with one home run, one double and 3 RBI in her previous two games dating back to the Knights' OSU Mizuno Classic finale against No. 2 Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon.
"She's a big-time player in big-time moments," Ball-Malone said of Evans. "That's what's so cool about Aubrey, is on to the next pitch. Whether she did something awesome or didn't get it to go our way. She's a competitor and you can't tell that she's a freshman."
The support was more than enough for Willis, who turned in her second seven-inning complete game in her last three appearances. Following Wichita State's first-inning score, Willis yielded little else, setting down 14 of the Shockers' next 18 hitters before Wichita State began to rally in the top of the sixth inning.
Center fielder Lauren Lucas doubled with one out, and one batter later designated player Lauren Mills reached on a fielding error by Willis to put runners on the corners with two outs.
Willis kept her wits about her in the face of the Shockers' late adversity, inducing a foul out to first baseman Shannon Doherty to eliminate Wichita State's late threat.
"Just let my defense work," Willis said of her goals to escape the jam. "I had that fly ball to Chloe Evans to move that runner to third, but that got me to two outs. Getting that popup was just letting my defense work."
The right-hander returned for the seventh inning and slammed the door shut, retiring the side in order to seal the Knights' first win of conference play.
"Really everything," Willis said of what was working so well throughout her start. "Just hitting my spots and working them off the plate when I can. Making my defense work, I think that's what made me most effective tonight. Not throwing too hard, just doing what I need to do."
The outing was just the latest in Willis' recent run of brilliance in the circle, as the right-hander has posted a team-low 1.23 ERA (45.2 IP, 8 ER) with 49 strikeouts against just 17 walks and a .162 batting average-against in her last 11 appearances (seven starts) since Feb. 23.
Her complete game also marked her third of the season, all within her last four appearances, and the Knights' 10th of the season. Right-hander Grace Jewell paces the squad with four complete games, and fellow RHP Kaitlyn Felton has also recorded three of her own.
UP NEXT
The Knights, donning their 'SpaceU' Citronaut uniforms for the second time this season, will go for the series win over Wichita State Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from the UCF Softball Complex.
