The Knights run-rules another opponent this weekend

A comeback out of left field turned into a victory for the UCF Knights against the Maryland Terrapins 15-7 during SpaceU Saturday, Feb. 7, at UCF Softball Complex.

UCF (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) hit its stride with a lengthy scoring run at the bottom of the fourth inning after sophomore utility player Kendall Yarnell homered her second grand slam of the weekend on two strikes.

“It just shows the trust that the team has in me,” Yarnell said. “I love to get put in those situations and come out for my team. It’s a really cool feeling.”

Things were looking grim for UCF as Maryland benefited from a fielding error and three hits that put four runs on the board at the top of the first.

But the Knights persisted while being down by a four-run deficit. A double RBI homer from sophomore catcher Beth Damon, followed by a single RBI that allowed sophomore outfielder Zoe Calvez to score from second base, tied the matchup 6-6 at the bottom of the third.

The hype from Yarnell’s grand slam turned into a driving force at the bottom of the fourth. UCF continued the scoring run as Calvez stole home and junior infielder/outfielder Samantha Rey scored from second base.

Redshirt senior infielder Ashleigh Griffin doubled down the right field line, allowing sophomore infielder Coco Jaimes and sophomore infielder/outfielder Izzy Mertes to score unearned.

Immediately after, a triple to right-center field by junior infielder Sierra Humphreys allowed Griffin to score from second base unearned, becoming the last run scored of the fourth inning.

“I think it gave us huge momentum,” senior infielder Aubrey Evans said about Yarnell’s grand slam. “The rally and the fight behind this team is something special and you caught a glimpse of it tonight.”

Redshirt sophomore pitcher Isabella Vega ended the matchup at the top of the fifth with two strikeouts and a catch from a lineout hit from Maryland freshman Zayda Rocke, giving UCF its third run-rule of the season.

Maryland narrowly passed UCF defensively with a strike percentage of 55.6 to the Knights’ 51.6, but UCF surpassed offensively, overall hitting .423 compared to the Terrapins’ .273.

“There are plenty of teams out there that could give up after they’ve given up four runs in the first inning,” UCF softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. “But we know that we gave them those runs and there was a lot of game left. I’m proud of how [UCF] answered back.”

UCF closes the Black & Gold Classic weekend against the University at Buffalo Bulls (2-2, 0-0 MAC) at 11 p.m. and rematches Maryland (2-2, 0-0 Big 10) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the UCF Softball Complex.