• Final stats

The UCF Knights (11-8) started fast and strong, hitting a grand slam in the first inning to blow out the Santa Clara Broncos (1-12) 9-1 on March 3 to finish the 2018 San Diego Classic I in San Diego, California.

Sophomore Alea White (8-5) was the only pitcher for the Knights, striking out six batters and allowing no walks. White didn’t give up a hit or run until the fourth inning.

The Broncos started Aubree Kim (0-6) for 3.0 innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs while walking three batters and striking out one. Freshman Lauren Schiek relieved Kim in the fourth inning. She pitched similar numbers, allowing five hits, four runs and striking out one batter.

With two outs already away, Tamesha Glover sent a grand slam over the left-field wall. Senior Megan Greenwell singled to left field, stealing second afterward. Both senior Courtney Rotton and sophomore Aubrey Johnson walked, loading the bases for the Knights. Then, Glover stepped up to the plate for the early, 4-0 lead.

Shortstop Kaitlyn Jensen also added three RBIs of her own, including two hits and two runs. One of Jensen’s runs came in the third inning when she hit a solo homer to left field, putting the Knights up 5-0.

The Knights had another four-run inning in the bottom of the fourth to put UCF up 9-1. Sophomore Alyssa Oakes started the inning by hitting a double to center field on Schiek. Two batters later, Oakes scored off a single to right field from freshman Denali Schappacher.

Schappacher advanced to second base after Greenwell singled up the middle. With two on base, Jensen doubled to left field, allowing Schappacher and Greenwell to score. Jensen was the last to reach home for UCF on the night when Johnson singled with the Knights’ next at-bat.

Santa Clara had an opportunity to make it a game in the top of the fourth.

Down 5-0, the Broncos finally got on base when Ellie Fisher singled to start the inning. Then, Eleni Spirakis singled to right field to place runners on first and second with no outs. A throwing error allowed Fisher to reach third before Spirakis stole second. Taylor Burns drove in the first run for the Broncos with a single, advancing Fisher home.

Santa Clara, then, attempted a double steal but Oakes picked off Spirakis at third for the second out. White recorded her fifth strikeout to end the inning.

Who’s Next?

UCF returns to Orlando on Tuesday for a double-header against the Virginia Tech Hokies and Ball State Cardinals.

For more on the Knights, as they prepare for a double-header at home on Tuesday, follow Nick Santiago on Twitter at @NickSantiagoUCF.