The UCF softball workforce has turn out to be well-acquainted with heart-stopping finishes this season.
The Knights clinched victory of their final three video games via dramatic performs. Most just lately, defeating Utah with an exhilarating 7-5 victory, highlighted by Ashleigh Griffin’s gorgeous walk-off two-run dwelling run within the backside of the ultimate inning. This electrifying second secured the win and propelled the Knights into the Huge 12 Softball Championship quarterfinals.
So, trailing within the prime of the seventh, UCF was in acquainted territory.
Sadly, the Knights couldn’t ship this time as reliever Devin Netz shut down the offense over the ultimate two innings, preserving a 4-3 win and advancing to the semifinals on Friday.
UCF (33-22-1, 12-12 Huge 12) should now wait to see if they will earn a bid to the NCAA Softball Match.
The Knights are projected to earn an at-large bid primarily based on the workforce’s robust RPI (29) and energy of schedule (22). The 64-team subject might be introduced on Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
UCF jumped on Arizona pitcher Miranda Stoddard within the second inning with a pair of singles by first baseman Ashleigh Griffin and proper fielder Izzy Mertes. That was adopted by an RBI single by catcher Beth Damon to seize an early 1-0 lead.
A sacrifice bunt by left fielder Samantha Rey moved Mertes and Damon into scoring place at second and third with one out. Coco James adopted with a fielder’s alternative that led to Mertes scoring.
Netz (21-5) changed Stoddard, who obtained Madison Simon to hit right into a 6-4-3 double-play to finish the inning.
UCF added to its lead within the prime of the third when Aubrey Evans hammered a 0-2 pitch over the wall in left subject. It was Evans’ tenth dwelling run of the season.
Knights pitcher Isabella Vega (13-5) cruised via the primary three innings, not permitting successful whereas hanging out one. However Arizona lastly made some noise within the backside of the fourth after heart fielder Regan Shockey led off with a triple and scored on a fielding error by Griffin.
The Wildcats continued their offensive push in opposition to Vega within the fifth inning, inserting runners on second and third with one out. Left fielder Dakota Kennedy flew out to heart subject, permitting one runner to attain, narrowing the rating to 3-2.
Shockey executed a profitable bunt single, placing runners on the corners with two outs. Vega then hit catcher Sydney Stewart with a pitch, loading the bases. A single by Netz into proper subject scored two runners, giving Arizona their first sport lead at 4-3. Vega was changed by Kaitlyn Felton, who obtained the ultimate out of the inning.
Netz quieted UCF’s offense, sending down the Knights so as within the prime of the sixth earlier than shutting the door within the seventh for the win.
Arizona (44-10, 17-7 Huge 12) earned the second seed and a bye into the quarters after ending second place within the regular-season standings behind Texas Tech.
The Wildcats advance to face the BYU/Iowa State winner within the semifinals on Friday (6:30 p.m., ESPN+). The championship is ready for Saturday at Midday on ESPN.
Discover me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. E-mail: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Join the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly e-newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF protection.
