UCF went out west for the last few weeks to challenge itself against the very best teams in the softball world. The Knights had their struggles and dropped a few games. It still should have been revealing to a team trying to break through on a national stage.
It did not harm UCF’s national ranking too much as the team fell to No. 25 in the polls. There is still work to do to get among the nation’s elite and get that hosting duty during the NCAA Softball Tournament.
This past weekend though, it was about getting back to winning.
The Knights swept through four games at the UCF Softball Complex, extending their win streak to eight games after winning the final three games at the Citrus Classic following a loss to Notre Dame in the opener. UCF can still dominate lesser opponents and build up some confidence with wins.
UCF opened the weekend with three straight shutouts, including back-to-back run rule victories against La Salle on Friday and South Dakota on Saturday. Shelby Turnier’s win in the 2-0 opener against Middle Tennessee on Friday helped her reach third on the all-time list in UCF history.
Turnier struck out six in that game and then added a win in a 3-1 win over LIU-Brooklyn.
“Every day we talk about winning one pitch at a time, one play at a time, one at-bat at a time,” volunteer assistant coach Horace Smith told UCFKnights.com. “Right now I just really think that we are coming into our own.”
The offense has taken a bit more focus this season as the Knights have struggled to get runs against the nation’s very best teams the last few weeks. UCF has had to get more hits.
This weekend delivered that in some big ways.
Jessica Ujvari found her rhythm, going 3 for 3 against Middle Tennessee State on Friday before hitting her fourth home run in the night cap against La Salle. Ujvari added two RBIs against South Dakota and another RBI against LIU-Brooklyn.
Willow Kalinen provided some good RBIs at the bottom of the batting order and the Knights were able to get the offense they needed to win the game.
UCF also continued its search for a second pitcher to pair with Turnier. Manami Calixto has filled that role early on in the season and pitched four innings against La Salle, giving up two hits.
Jamie Ujvari emerged against South Dakota, striking out nine in five innings in the run rule victory. It was good to see both these pitchers get some experience and success in run-rule victories this weekend.
The level of competition was not like it was at the Mary Nutter Classic, or even at the Citrus Classic at Disney. But the Knights needed this confidence and needed to take care of business.
They appeared to do so easily. UCF continues its long homestand with a trio of games Tuesday and Wednesday at the UCF Softball Complex.
