The American Conference opener for UCF was a back-and-forth pitching battle. Both teams tallying four hits and both pitchers shutting down.
It would come down to a game of inches. A hit down the left field line that hit off an outfielder fair and rolled into foul territory. Done at the right time, that can be the difference in the game.
And on a weekend that saw weather come to the forefront and cancel the two games scheduled for Saturday and then again rescheduled for Sunday — rain and snow in Connecticut left only Friday’s game as a result.
And that bounce along the line from Jasmine Acevedo in the fifth inning was all that was needed. It brought Cassady Brewer home, as she had three of UCF’s four hits on the day, and gave UCF a 1-0 win over UConn in the conference opener Friday.
The Knights had another 10-strikeout, complete-game performance from Shelby Turnier as she became the third UCF pitcher with 70 wins in her career. Turnier continues her strong senior year as the rock in the circle for the Knights.
The win was also a milestone for coach Renee Leurs-Gillispie. It was her 800th career victory.
That was far from her mind until the end of the game — the team had their own plans to celebrate once they accomplished it. This was one where the Knights had to squeeze every last bit to get past UConn pitcher Kayla Doty.
Again, the Knights needed some small ball to get home the run. Brewer led off the inning with a double, was moved to third on a bunt and reached home on a hit down the line that ended up a fielder’s choice.
That was all that was needed with Turnier pitching so well. And with the weather setting in, that was all the Knights could get out of the weekend.
