TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 19 UCF softball team fell in game one of its three-game set to the No. 23 Arizona State Sun Devils, 7-1, at Farrington Stadium Friday evening.
The Sun Devils jumped out to an early 4-0 lead on the strength of a four-run bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on a pair of hit-by-pitches with a three-run home run in the frame, before later adding three more in the home half of the sixth inning.
UCF managed an offensive response in the top of the second inning, loading the bases with nobody out, but Arizona State starter Kenzie Brown limited the Knights to an RBI groundout off the bat of Zoe Calvez.
UCF right-hander Isabella Vega settled in after yielding the early four tallies in the first, spinning four consecutive scoreless frames from the second through the fifth and at one point retiring seven consecutive hitters before ASU once again broke through in the sixth.
Knights catcher Beth Damon also recorded her ninth multi-hit game of the season in the contest, but the Black and Gold were unable to produce a late-inning offensive response.
UP NEXT
UCF looks to even the series in game two, with first pitch set for 7 p.m. ET from Farrington Stadium.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program, representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.