UCF Slips Past Flashes 2-1
3/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ORLANDO, Fla.- UCF took advantage of a Kent State error in the sixth to score the go-ahead run in a 2-1 home victory Wednesday night. The Golden Flashes (12-14) finished 3-3 on their Florida trip and dropped a one-run decision for the third time in their last eight games.  Â
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UCF's Natalie Land led off the bottom of the first with a home run to left field, before junior starter Danielle Abernathy (Adairsville, Ga.) settled in and did not allow a run in the next three innings.
"Our pitchers and defense are doing very well," head Coach Karen Linder said. "We just need to come up with a few more clutch hits."
The Flashes tied the game in the top of the fifth when senior Shannon Laughlin (Fairview Park, Ohio) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Junior Lauren Grimes (Tallmadge, Ohio) led off the inning with a single to left followed by an Alex Marcantonio (North Canton, Ohio) single to right. Sophomore Abbey Ledford (West Liberty, Ohio) walked to load the bases with no outs, but Kent State was only able to push one run across in the fifth.
UCF took the lead back in the sixth with the help of an infield error that came with one out and no one aboard. Land then stole second and scored on a single.
The Knights' pitching ace, Mackenzie Audas struck out 14, two in each inning.
"We didn't have good enough bat discipline and swung at too many riseballs," Linder said.
The Golden Flashes take a week off from competition, before visiting Pittsburgh for a doubleheader on March 28.
"We have been very competitive in close games with very strong programs," Linder said. "We just need to put together a few more hits at the right time to enable us to win those hard fought battles."
