UCF’s trip to Houston started off with a celebration of Shelby Turnier. She was drafted to the NPF with the 11th overall pick in the draft. The team had gathered together to celebrate the night before.
There was a celebration, but still work to do. And Turnier turned in one of her worst performances of the year. Her teammates were able to recover and pick her up in the second game of a doubleheader against Houston.
Turnier gave up six runs in five innings as Houston won the first game 7-0, limiting UCF to four hits. The Knights though answered back with an 8-0 win in the second game, setting up a rubber match in Saturday’s finale in Houston.
The Knights had 13 hits in the second game led by Samantha McCloskey’s 3-for-4 performance. Cassady Brewer went 2 for 4 with three RBIs including a two-run home run.. Everyone was getting hits as the Knights, as they tend to do when they are playing well, got hits everywhere in the lineup and advanced runners.
It helped having a strong performance in the circle.
Junior Manami Calixto fired a complete game allowing only three hits. Calixto had a solid start at the end of last weekend’s series sweep of Tulsa. A good sign as UCF builds some pitching depth.
In the first game, Turnier’s struggles were a seemingly slow burn. She gave up a two-run home run in the second inning and then another two runs in the fifth. The Knights just could not get the runs they needed to cut into the deficit and allow Turnier another opportunity at a mistake. The Cougars jumped on the usually stellar pitcher.
UCF is a resilient team though. The Knights responded in kind and that is a good sign. This was the first loss of the season for the Knights in the American Conference. It was bound to happen.
Still the team needs a series win and still has a shot to do so. Likely with Turnier in the circle once again.
