UCF blanks No. 4 Florida in midweek
Based on Wednesday’s results, you wouldn’t have guessed it was UCF’s lineup that was struggling coming in the matchup with No. 4 Florida. A pair of two-run blasts fueled UCF’s 4-0 win over No. 4 Florida.
UCF only scored two runs in the series against Iowa State this past weekend. The Knights came out with big swings early. Aubrey Evans connected on a Katelynn Oxley riseball, giving UCF a 2-0 lead in the first inning and matching the number of runs they scored against the Cyclones.
Oxley settled in after a jumping first. She finished her outing going four innings, allowing the two runs on three hits. She’d turn the ball over to Ava Brown in the fifth. The Knights swung their swords again and the freshmen came through. Beth Damon hit a two-out double and Izzy Mertes followed with a rocket over the left field fence to double the lead.
Isabella Vega kept Florida’s offense off-balanced all evening. The redshirt freshman has a solid rise and change combination that the Gators never quite timed up. Florida hit a lot of lazy pop-ups and fly balls, which made it evident they were timing Vega very well.
See where Oxley, Vega and Mertes land on our Mid-Season Freshman Power Rankings
Vega was especially good against the heart of the Gator order. Korbe Otis, Taylor Shumaker, Jocelyn Erickson and Reagan Walsh combined to go 1-for-11. Florida only had three at-bats with runners in scoring position. It appeared they might have a two-out rally going in the third as Otis stepped up to the plate. However, on a full count, Vega got her to send a ball sky high to the catcher.
Vega got help from her defense as well. She hit Erickson to start the second. Walsh hit a shot to third base but Sierra Humphreys made a heck of a diving scoop and turn for a double play. Vega finished her complete game allowing five hits and striking out four. It was the first time Florida has been shut out this season.
UCF hopes to carry the momentum to Texas when the Knights visit Baylor. Florida will try to get the bats going again at Auburn this weekend.
More from Softball America:
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ACC Power Rankings
Big 12 Power Rankings
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