AMES, Iowa – The No. 21 UCF softball team demonstrated great offensive resolve for the second consecutive day in Ames, but a late Iowa State rally downed the Knights in walk-off fashion, 13-9, at the Cyclone Sports Complex Saturday afternoon.
A thrilling back-and-forth affair saw the Knights jump out to a quick 4-0 lead through three and a half innings, Iowa State respond with eight unanswered scores in the fourth and fifth innings before the Knights again managed to retake the lead with a five-run seventh inning.
The Cyclones rallied once again, though, dashing UCF’s efforts for a 38th win this spring with a five-run seventh of their own to force the rubber match on Sunday.
UCF, after seeing a pair of scoreless innings from freshman right-hander Tori Payne to begin the afternoon, first broke through in the second on back-to-back RBI singles by Izzy Mertes and Sierra Humphreys that plated Aubrey Evans and Taylor Kittleman.
Mertes produced her third RBI of the series in giving the Knights the early 1-0 lead, and Humphreys notched her fifth RBI in two games after slugging a first-inning grand slam in Friday’s series-opener.
UCF then added on in the top of the fourth inning, doubling its advantage on the strength of a two-run double by Evans that boosted the shortstop’s season RBI total to 35, a new career best by the Apopka native.
The Cyclones struck back with eight straight scores in the fourth and fifth frames, but the Knights were undaunted, rallying back with a five-run top of the seventh inning.
Each of the first seven UCF hitters reached in the frame, including a Kendall Yarnell leadoff triple, Beth Damon RBI single, and back-to-back run-scoring hits by Coco Jaimes and Ashleigh Griffin. A sacrifice fly by Aubrey Evans would give UCF the lead back, nine runs to eight, but the Cyclones produced a furious rally of their own, eventually taking the contest on a walk-off grand slam in the home half of the seventh.
UP NEXT
UCF looks to bounce back and take the series in game three, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. ET from the Cyclone Sports Complex.
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.