CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
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HIGHLIGHTS
UCF INTERVIEWS
TULSA, Okla. - No. 2 seed UCF scored three runs in the first inning to pull away from No. 7 seed UConn in the second quarterfinals match of the day Thursday afternoon at the Collins Family Softball Complex. The Knights topped the Huskies, 3-2, and advanced to the American Softball Championship semifinals with the win. UCF will face the winner of the Tulsa/East Carolina quarterfinal Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT.
The Knights capitalized on a pair of UConn miscues to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first before Jasmine Acevedo’s RBI single plated Courtney Rotton, giving UCF a 3-0 advantage after one stanza.
The teams remained scoreless over the next six innings until Husky shortstop Lexi Gifford trimmed the deficit with a two-run HR, but it was not enough as the Knights held on for the win.
UCF improved to 36-19 with the victory while UConn fell to 19-33 with the loss.
Rotton paced the Knights with a 2-for-3 outing while Gifford, Alyssa Gardea and Taylor Townsend each had one hit apiece for the Huskies.
UCF senior Shelby Turnier pitched a complete game three-hitter with 13 strikeouts. She became the Knights’ all-time leader in wins with the victory. UConn freshman Jill Stockley picked up the loss in the circle for the Huskies.
Quarterfinals - Thursday, May 12
(All games on The American Digital Network)
Game 1 – No. 4 Houston 5, No. 5 Memphis 4 (10)
Game 2 – No. 2 UCF 3, No. 7 UConn 2
Game 3 – No. 6 East Carolina vs. No. 3 Tulsa, 6 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. CT
Semifinals - Friday, May 13
(All games on The American Digital Network)
Game 4 – No. 4 Houston vs. No. 1 USF, 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT
Game 5 – No. 2 UCF vs. Game 2 winner, 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT
Championship - Saturday, May 14
(Televised live on ESPN)
Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, Noon ET/11 a.m. CT