The UCF Knights have struggled to score in the 2018 San Diego Classic I. On March 2, UCF faced similar problems when the Knights (10-8) lost to the No. 3 UCLA Bruins (16-0) 9-1 in five innings.
UCF used three different pitchers, each going 1.1 innings. Kamryn Toney (1-2) started for the Knights, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Damara Begin and Cierra Word allowed a combined two earned runs, three walks and three hits. No UCF pitcher had a strikeout.
The Knights’ only score of the game came in the first inning, as freshman Denali Schappacher scored an unearned run off an error by Bruins shortstop Briana Perez. UCF stranded Aubrey Johnson and Courtney Rotton on the corners, though, as the Knights couldn’t score the rest of the way.
UCLA tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore Bubba Nickles hit an RBI to left field, allowing redshirt freshman Aaliyah Jordan to score from third base. The inning ended for the Bruins when junior Taylor Pack flied out to center field.
The Bruins broke the game open, scoring seven runs in the second and third innings combined.
Junior Paige Halstead scored from second off a base hit to left field by Perez to start the scoring in the second. Kylee Perez singled on the next pitch, driving in Kinsley Washington from second. Jordan, then, doubled to left field and drove in two more runs to give UCLA a 5-1 lead.
Begin came in to pitch for Toney at the end of the second inning but gave up three runs in the third to put the Bruins up 8-1.
After Begin gave up a hit on her first at-bat of the third to Pack, she walked junior Zoe Shaw and Washington to load the bases for the Bruins. Briana, then, flied out to center field, allowing Pack to score. The Bruins scored on the next two at-bats, first scoring on a passed ball. Then, Washington scored an unearned run off a single by Kylee.
The Bruins’ scored once more in the fifth inning off a bunt from sophomore Jacqui Prober, bringing home Briana for the final score.
UCF didn’t have an answer for freshman Holly Azevedo (5-0), who was the Bruins’ only pitcher. Azevedo allowed three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
Who’s Next?
UCF plays Santa Clara University on Saturday at noon to conclude the San Diego Classic I.
For more on the Knights, as they continue their run in the San Diego Classic I, follow Nick Santiago on Twitter at @NickSantiagoUCF.
