After two weeks of team workouts and three intra-squad
scrimmages, the UCF softball team was chomping at the bit to play a live game
against another team. The Knights got their first chance on Wednesday night as
they defeated Brevard Community College 14-0 in a no-time limit 10 inning game.
The Knights out-hit the Titans, 19-5, and showed off some
improved defense by not making a single error.
Pitching has reigned supreme throughout fall camp and
Wednesday was no exception. UCF's No. 1 pitcher Mackenzie Audas got the start
and struck out six in two innings. Later in the game, when Brevard's hurlers
reached their pitch limits, Audas switched teams and threw a pair of scoreless
innings for the Titans, much to the chagrin of her teammates. All total, the dominant sophomore allowed two
hits and one walk in four innings while striking out 10.
With senior Alex Hartshorn missing the game because of
class, the Knights' three freshman pitchers all made their claims to the No. 2
starting spot. Shelby Turnier and Lauren Dannelley each pitched three scoreless
innings. Lefty Mackenzie Huhn also tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
"It was great to see our entire group of young pitchers step
up and perform well with Alex not here," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said.
"The competition to be the No. 2 starter behind Mac is very intense right now."
Offensively, three returning players shined as Kahley Novak,
Farrah Sullivan and Hayley Barrow all had quality efforts at the plate. Novak
"Kahley, Farrah and Hayley are three of our top returning
players and all three of them have a spot in the lineup right now,"
Luers-Gillispie continued. "Farrah and Hayley are going to play third and catch
for us and be right there in the middle of the lineup. Kahley's going to hit
leadoff and could be our starter at second or she could be in centerfield, it's
going to depend on what shakes out with the rest of the team."
Novak went 4-for-6 with four RBI, two runs scored and two
stolen bases as she continues to thrive in the leadoff spot. Hitting third,
Sullivan was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles while knocking in a pair. Batting
right behind Sullivan in the cleanup spot, Barrow picked up a pair of RBI while
going 2-for-5.
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