Softball Run-Rules BYU, 9-1, in Thursday Series-OpenerSoftball Run-Rules BYU, 9-1, in Thursday Series-Opener

Softball Run-Rules BYU, 9-1, in Thursday Series-Opener

by Ryan Ladika
Box Score

PROVO, Utah – “It sets the tone, coming out super aggressive in game one.”

From the evening’s first pitch and on, Stormy Kotzelnick and the UCF softball team attacked their gameplan to perfection.

Led by a three-hit, four-RBI showing from the fifth year senior and a five-inning complete game authored by redshirt freshman Isabella Vega, the Knights toppled the BYU Cougars in run-rule fashion, 9-1 in five innings, to open the teams’ three-game series Thursday.

“We have opportunities to build on what we did tonight. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves; we want to stay humble and stay confident at the same time.”

Stormy KotzelnickFifth Year Utility Player

The winning effort pushed UCF’s overall record to seven games above .500 at 24-17-1 with 12 contests remaining in the regular season, and represented the Knights’ fifth run-rule victory this spring, as well as its second such victory against a power four opponent, joining the team’s 11-0 rout of Arizona State in six innings March 15.

The Black and Gold utilized a 10-hit barrage in their latest win, marking their third game in their last four with at least 10 hits, and the team’s 10th in double figures this season, while Vega limited the Cougars to just three.

“It’s really big for us. Things that people don’t think about, the travel we took to get here, a different climate and altitude than we’re accustomed to. They did a great job battling those external factors, and it was nice to see how many different contributors we had in the game today.”

Cindy Ball-MaloneHead coach

UCF saw nearly all 10 of its starters factor in to a lengthy first frame, one that saw the Knights send nine hitters to the plate and score three times to set their tone for the game.

Facing BYU’s ace right-hander Kaysen Korth, who entered the evening with the seventh-lowest ERA in the Big 12 Conference at 1.81 through a team-leading 96.2 innings, UCF pounced early, doing most of its damage with two outs.

Samantha Rey and Aubrey Evans both reached with one out on a bunt single and walk, respectively, and with two away in the inning, Izzy Mertes drew a four-pitch free pass to load the bases for Kotzelnick.

The Carmel, Indiana, native waited out a 2-0 offering and lined it down the left field line, a single that scored her team’s first two runs aided by an obstruction call at home plate.

The replay review and overturned out call at home plate proved consequential, as Ashleigh Griffin followed with a single through the right side of the infield that proceeded a bases-loaded walk drawn by Madison Simon, extending the Knights’ first-inning lead to 3-0.

“I definitely went in having a plan, trying to follow it to the best of my ability. Just doing what every situation called for and put my best barrel on the ball. Luckily it worked out for me three times in a row.”

Stormy KotzelnickFifth Year Utility Player

Vega, tabbed for her 12th start in her 20th appearance this season, made quick work of the Cougars in the home half, retiring the side in order accompanied by her first strikeout, allowing her offense to get back to work in the second stanza.

Evans and Sierra Humphreys gave their squad two quick baserunners with a pair of singles, and two more run-scoring hits by Mertes and Kotzelnick, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Griffin, doubled the Knights’ lead after two innings.

Evans led a clean defensive evening for her team as well, most notably adding a pair of highlight-reel plays to help Vega through the second inning with just one run allowed on a solo home run.

“So amazing. It leads to a lot of confidence for our pitchers, knowing that we have their backs, and it’s an honor to play behind every one of these girls. Just seeing their talents shine through on the field is so amazing.”

Stormy Kotzelnickon her team's defense

UCF’s third three-run frame of the game came in the fourth, on the strength of a Kotzelnick RBI triple that scored Mertes from first base and a two-run home run by Griffin, her third of the campaign.

The support proved plenty for Vega, who after surrendering BYU’s lone tally to lead off the second inning, retired 12 of the final 14 Cougars she faced in needing just 50 pitches to polish off her sixth complete game of the year.

The redshirt freshman, now having produced nine appearances of at least five innings and two or fewer walks allowed, has yielded only 1.84 walks per seven innings through her team-leading 83.2 innings this spring, a mark that ranks just outside the top 10 on the program’s all-time single-season list.

“Always good for your starter to throw about 50 pitches in a game. I love how she got ahead of most of the hitters and fed the defense. The left side is really playing well for her,” said Ball-Malone.

Kotzelnick’s four RBI, meanwhile, set a new single-season high and tied her previous single-game career high, one she accomplished twice before, most recently as a member of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns against the Michigan Wolverines Feb. 17, 2023.

UP NEXT

UCF looks to clinch the series win with a game two victory Friday evening. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET from Gail Miller Field and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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