Shelby Turnier was dealing, striking out batters and getting through jams. Shelby Turnier was struggling to find the strike zone against a dangerous lineup that had averaged 17.4 runs per game including two games with 20 or more runs.
That all spelled danger with the focus squarely on UCF’s pitcher to survive and give the offense a chance.
She did survive despite some of her own struggles and did give the No. 17 Knights a chance against the No. 3 Tigers at the UCF Softball Complex. A few hiccups in the first inning though proved to be enough for a 2-0 Auburn win though.
Turnier struck out 11 hitters but had to throw 155 pitches, facing 11 full counts and walking six batters, all within the first four hitters in the lineup, to give the Knights a chance. But she nor the Knights could escape a shaky first inning.
She walked three of the first four batters, placing a strikeout in between, to load the bases. Catcher Carlee Wallace delivered the only runs of the game with a single into centerfield and Turnier and the Knights had to chase the lead from there.
Turnier did her part keeping Auburn to five hits and getting through despite being behind the count and facing several jams.
“I think she did a great game out there,” coach Renee Leurs-Gillispie said. “A great opportunity that she had with some great hitters. She tried to keep them off balance as best as possible. We would have liked to get more ahead of the count than we did, but overall she was fighting back with those full counts and doing a lot of great things for us.”
Shelby's up to 9⃣ Ks on the day!
Auburn leads 2-0 as we head to the bottom of the fifth. #ChargeOnhttps://t.co/unaJhiN7SJ
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) February 17, 2016
UCF’s offense had few opportunities trying to crack Marcy Harper for Auburn. The Knights’ best opportunity came in the fifth inning when freshman catcher Autumn Gillespie recorded her first hit of the year with a lead off double.
What a hit for the rookie! https://t.co/nOUgKDmJDn
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) February 17, 2016
Jasmine Acevedo nearly brought in the tying run with a shot to left field that cleared the wall but just hooked foul before doing so. She reached first when she was hit by a pitch.
Leadoff hitter Linnea Goodman hit a perfect sacrifice fly to to left centerfield to complete a solid 2-for-3 day. But pinch runner Megan Greenwell strayed too far from the bag and could not tag up. The next batter popped out and the Knights’ opportunity ended still trailing 2-0.
UCF tallied only four hits and one walk after Harper, getting only that double into scoring position in the game.
“I don’t know that we had a lot of situations,” Gillispie said. “I know that we could have bunt the ball low on the ground and make them work a little harder. We had a lot of fly balls. I think we need to come through with executing. When we have an opportunity to get a bunt down and get a ball through the infield, we just have to take that opportunity.”
The Knights lack a ton of power in their lineup and so getting singles and getting around the lineup is going to be critical for the team to produce runs. Turner will give the team plenty of opportunities to stay in games as she proved in working through the lineup despite struggling behind the count.
All these games to start the season have been a big preparation for the Marry Nutter Tournament this weekend in California. The game started at 10 a.m. so UCF could catch a flight to California. The early start time may have led to some early sluggishness, but it was not noticeable.
UCF has challenged itself plenty in the early season. The team destroyed Alabama and has stood tall against some top teams as it tries to find its place in the national picture.
“These kind of games and you know you can play with anybody,” Gillispie said. “When you play against teams like that and you stay with them and you know you had a shot at winning this game, you have confidence going in. I don’t think we have any concern with the teams we are facing this weekend. I think they are ready to step up and ready to make some noise out there.”
