ORLANDO – On one of those days at the yard that simply means more than the game itself, the (RV) UCF softball team delivered in more ways than one.
With its 2023 Autism Awareness Day representing not just a backdrop but a recurring theme throughout the afternoon, the Knights produced a convincing 9-1 victory in five innings over the visiting FIU Panthers at the UCF Softball Complex Tuesday afternoon.
"April is the month for autism awareness, and it was really important to me that we started to recognize that," said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "My oldest son was diagnosed on the spectrum two days after I decided to come [to UCF]. To be able to have the resources that we have in the Orlando area, my son is thriving. This day was really important to me."
Available to fans throughout the afternoon were a UCF-themed fidget spinner giveaway and coloring activities on the concourse to represent their representation. The Knights (25-18, 4-2 AAC) also donned specially-made puzzle piece-themed socks, patches and stickers on their uniforms to complete the day, and two of Ball-Malone's three sons, Ryder and Cayson, helped throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Veteran first baseman Shannon Doherty was also honored during a pregame ceremony with the presentation of a plaque to commemorate her Order of Pegasus award, the most prestigious award that can be bestowed to a student at UCF.
"I'm honored that I was recognized for that," Doherty said. "I'm able to represent Knight nation and UCF athletics on such a prestigious level. I'm super excited that I get to show that we're doing good things over here, we're not just good players, we're good people too."
Riding the high of the pregame emotions, UCF produced one of its most all-around complete games of the campaign. Seven Knights found the hit column, highlighted by a two-triple day from right fielder Chloe Evans and a three-RBI showing from Doherty on the strength of her sixth homer of the season and 26th of her career. Junior starter Sarah Willis continued her dominant season on the mound as well, throwing four scoreless innings with two strikeouts while allowing only three hits.
"We scored in every inning except the first and had contributions from everyone in the lineup," Ball-Malone continued. "Sarah again with a really clean start, and our defense behind her, and I liked how Kaitlyn was able to come in and finish the game. Defensively, I loved the plays that we made. We got some lead runners out and created outs with some harder-hit balls. We're starting to learn ourselves a little bit more and bring that same energy into the offense."
UCF's offense caught fire in the bottom of the second inning following a pair of spotless innings from Willis. Evans swatted her fifth triple of the season down the left field line and scampered the remaining 60 feet thanks to a Panthers (18-22, 5-10 C-USA) throwing error. Doherty followed Evans' triple with a no-doubt solo home run that soared over the left field fence.
Doherty's 26 home runs rank fourth-most on the UCF all-time list, five shy of teammate Jada Cody's third-place total of 31, and the first baseman would later add an RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to record a season-high-tying three RBI.
"I knew what I was hunting but I had to change up the plan a little bit in the at-bat because I didn't get what I was expecting to get right away," Doherty said. "I love that pitch, so I just went and crushed it."
After going the opposite way in the second inning, Evans pulled her second triple of the game, and sixth of the season, to right field in the third. The junior outfielder brought home Jasmine Williams and Aubrey Evans with a three-bagger that pulled Chloe Evans to within two of tying Tiffany Lane for the most in a single season in program history with eight.
"With Jas and Aubrey on base, I just knew I wanted to score them," Chloe said. "Having those big leads early in the game is good for us, helping out our pitchers. I felt very good in the box, I've been working on feeling good in the box again, [and it worked out.]"
The fourth and final inning for the Knights' offense saw four more runs come across, ballooning the team's lead to 9-0. After drawing a five-pitch walk, Kennedy Searcy stole her thirteenth base of the season, remaining perfect on stolen base attempts. Back-to-back walks to Williams and Aubrey Evans would load the bases for Doherty, who would plate her third RBI of the day with another walk. On a full count, pinch-hitter Shelli DiPuma hit an infield single back to the pitcher to plate Williams, and Savannah Adams, taking another pinch-hit try, drove in the final two runs of the day with a single that deflected off the glove of FIU second baseman Amelia Varela.
In holding the Panthers scoreless through four innings, Willis matched Grace Jewell's team-low 2.20 ERA with an identical mark of her own. Since the team's Feb. 23 twin-bill against Gardner-Webb, Willis has posted a glistening 1.17 ERA (60 IP, 10 ER) accompanied by a .169 batting average-against and 56 strikeouts.
"Holding the puzzle pieces and taking that moment during the game, it touched my heart," Ball-Malone added about the day's theme. "I definitely teared up. It's so awesome that so many people can stand up for it, learn more and represent and see the exceptional strengths that people on the spectrum have."
UP NEXT
This weekend, the Knights are back on the road for a three-game series against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The series will start Friday night at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday 3:00 p.m. matchup, and will conclude with a Sunday 1:00 p.m. tilt.
