(Editor’s Note: This content comes to you from JWOS’ “On the Road” trip (learn more here) but we are offering this article for free to honor the excitement of opening weekend! Please consider picking up a subscription today to support the work of JWOS and, in particular, this road trip! We have the lowest subscription cost around and our goal will always be to keep it that way, but we need your support! Also, you will help keep Justin sleeping in hotels and not truck stops! Thank you!)
In their season-opening victory on Thursday night, the UCF Knights not only earned an impressive win over Indiana, but they showed a commitment to an approach that has become rarer across the college ranks.
As a team, UCF hit just sixteen home runs last season, in their first campaign under head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. Two players, Cassady Brewer and Tamesha Glover, led the 2019 roster with four home runs a piece, and both of those players departed the program in the offseason.
On Thursday night, the Knights put what could legitimately be called a “shellacking” on their Big Ten foe, collecting eight hits and run-ruling the Hoosiers in six innings. During the dominant win, two things were hallmarks of UCF’s approach: Alea White’s power in the circle, and a deadly small-ball approach at the plate for the Knights.
After an RBI double in the first inning and a Karissa Ornelas no-doubt home run in the second, only twice more did the Knights reach the outfield on a hit. A combination of sharp ground balls, bunts, and slick baserunning combined with patience at the plate accumulated for a deadly offensive attack for the Knights.
In the fifth inning, an infield single, a 4-pitch walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases, when an infield obstruction call allowed the third run of the game to score. After chasing Indiana starter Emily Goodin after the fifth, the Knights wasted no time in ganging up on redshirt senior Josie Wood; beginning the inning with four consecutive singles followed by two bases-loaded walks.
A fielding error allowed the final pair of runs to score which triggered the run-rule and sealed the win in a dominant, impressive season-opening victory for UCF. Not to be overshadowed was White’s performance in the circle, a complete game shutout that saw her record eight strikeouts and allow just four hits.
The Knights have a particularly tough schedule in 2020, and are expected to be in the American Athletic Conference title race. The victory over a Power Five opponent, and in such consistent fashion, should give Knights fans a lot to look forward to through the remainder of the year.
