ORLANDO – The UCF softball team saw a dominant start by freshman right-handed pitcher Yessenia Lopez, but couldn’t muster the offense in support as the squad dropped its series finale to the Iowa State Cyclones, 1-0, at the UCF Softball Complex Saturday afternoon.
Lopez, selected for her 12th start of the spring and 18th appearance overall by head coach Cindy Ball-Malone, turned in a seven-inning, two-hit complete game in the loss, throwing seven innings in a start for the second time this season, joining her effort against the Pitt Panthers in UCF’s 4-2 win Feb. 20.
The right-hander also posted her second outing this season of at least five innings without yielding a single walk, and her first since she spun a six-inning complete game in the Knights’ 1-0 loss to Auburn in Clearwater Feb. 14.
Her two hits allowed also represented a single-game career-low in an appearance of at least five innings, besting her outing against Auburn during which she yielded only three.
After surrendering a single score to the Cyclones in the top of the first inning, Lopez authored a masterful final six frames, retiring 16 consecutive Iowa State hitters following the Cyclones’ first-inning leadoff single.
The visitors managed just one baserunner the remainder of the contest, a one-out single in the top of the sixth inning who was erased after she left early on an attempted stolen base to end the inning.
UP NEXT
The Knights look to snap their skid in their homestand finale Wednesday evening against the No. 3 Florida Gators, a contest during which the program will also recognize its annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Game. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from the UCF Softball Complex and will be streamed on ESPN+.
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