UF Softball: No. 5 Gators Drop Midweek Contest to No. 23 UCF
Courtesy of University Athletic Association
No. 5 Florida fell 7-0 to No. 23 UCF Wednesday evening at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
The Gators (30-5) earned three hits from Hannah Adams (1-for-3), Kendyl Lindaman (1-for-3), and Avery Goelz (1-for-3), while the Knights (30-9) strung together 10 and picked up a complete-game performance in the circle from Breanna Vasquez (4-1).
UCF took the early 4-0 lead in the 1st inning of play via an RBI infield single and three-run home run. Justene Molina led off the game with a double to right center field, which was then followed up by a blooper to shallow left center by Juliana Wilson.
Georgia Blair plated the first run on an RBI single that bounced off of starting pitcher Katie Chronister (6-2), which was followed up by a home run to left field from Shannon Doherty. Rylee Trlicek entered in relief of Chronister to work the Gators out of the inning.
UCF went on to scratch across an additional run in the top of the 2nd inning via an RBI single by Doherty up the middle that scored Denali Schappacher.
In the 3rd inning, the Knights plated two more to take a 7-0 lead via a two-out two-run home run from Jazmine Esparza.
Trlicek settled in 4th inning and the Gators turned a big double play to notch a scoreless frame from the field. The Hallettsville, Texas native also went on to hold the Knights hitless in the 5th inning, before being relieved by freshman Haley Pittman in the 6th inning.
Pittman, in her first official collegiate appearance, went on to retire the Knights side in order for two consecutive innings to end the game. The Montgomery, Ala. native also notched her first career strikeout to cap the 6th inning when she retired Blair swinging.
The Gators return to SEC play with a three-game series at No. 3 Alabama this Friday through Sunday. The first game Friday is schedule 7 p.m. (ET) on the SEC Network +, while Saturday’s first pitch is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN 2 and Sunday’s will take place at 2 p.m. on the SEC Network.