UCF is not a home-run hitting team. The Knights are not going to hit the ball around the park and out of the park all that often. The Knights have hit just 16 home runs in 44 games. This is a team that gets its offense through moving runners and hitting singles and doubles.
Variety is sometimes needed, but the pitching is typically strong enough that the Knights can scratch things out and wear down opponents with the constant hits.
Sometimes though, they need a little power. Just to let opponents know the threat is there. And the threat is really there.
UCF hit three home runs as the offense came alive to help secure a third straight series win to open American Conference play. The Knights toppled the Houston Cougars in Houston on Saturday 8-3, totaling 11 hits in addition to the home runs.
“The hitters came out and did a great job,” head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie told UCFKnights.com. “It was just a great series overall. I’m very proud of the girls, how they stepped up and came back for the last two games.”
Jessica Ujvari hit her team-best sixth home run with a two-run dinger in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. The Knights were playing from ahead the entire game as they opted to pitch all three of their key pitchers in the day.
Courtney Rotton and Kalyn Cenal also added home runs for the Knights in their offensive outburst.
It still came down to pitching. Shelby Turnier entered the fifth inning with the bases loaded and struck out back-to-back hitters to preserve the lead and escape the jam.
UCF’s offense has not always been its strong suit. But it can burst out on occasion. And the Knights are continuing to run through the American Conference, now at 6-1 through three weekend series.
