Championship Central

HOUSTON – UCF held off a feisty Rutgers squad on Saturday afternoon to advance to the American Softball Championship game. The Scarlet Knights trailed 8-5 and loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out, but strong pitching by UCF junior Mackenzie Audas cut the RU rally short and gave the Knights the win.
 
The Scarlet Knights took an early lead in the first inning on a two-run homer by centerfielder Jackie Bates. UCF plated five runs in the top of the second for a 5-2 lead and scattered three runs over the next two innings before Rutgers added three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Starting pitcher Shelby Turnier picked up the win for the Knights on the mound and improved to 19-5 with the victory. Alyssa Landrith (17-8) suffered the loss for RU.
 
UCF will play Louisville in the American Softball Championship game on Sunday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will air live on the American Digital Network with Lincoln Rose and Katy Jones providing analysis. The Cardinals advanced to the title game by defeating USF 8-0 in six innings on Friday.