UCF had turned to Shelby Turnier time and time again the past four years, and especially this year. Without a consistent second option, Turnier shouldered most of the load for the big games.
In the NCAA Softball Tournament Gainesville Regional, Turnier held all the cards. She had to duel FAU in the first game of the regional and then face down the top-ranked Florida Gators. All while battling a reported illness.
The Knights took care of FAU on a walk-off home run to reach the final round, but could not overcome the Gators once, let alone the two times they would need to reach the Super Regional.
Turnier’s final outing for the Knights lasted just two innings, when Florida scored twice on a RBI single.
Jamie Ujvari came in relief and gave up five runs, including a three-run home run to Jamie Dewitt and a stolen base run after issuing a walk with the bases loaded.
It all came to a 8-0 run-rule victor for Florida to send the two-time defending champions to the Super Regional once again and eliminating UCF from the tournament.
The Knights tallied three hits against Aleshia Ocasio. But Ocasio struck out seven in five innings as UCF failed to threaten Florida’s defense and mount much offense.
That was the way it was all weekend against the Gators. The Gators shut out all three teams they played this weekend, continuing their dominance as they seek a third straight softball title.
UCF finished its season 38-22, but certainly with some disappointment. Another loss in the regional round. The team had an ambitious plan for its season, scheduling its toughest schedule ever and getting entry to some prestigious early-season tournaments. The Knights were pushing to try to host one of these regional rounds.
UCF did not pick up the record it wanted in those games. The team held firm in American Conference play and made the tournament, taking this predictable trip to Gainesville and into the buzzsaw.
As the third seed in the region, it was perhaps a victory to top a strong FAU pitching staff twice and get to the regional championship. Then again, UCF likely wanted much more from its season too. Maybe that was always impossible.
This was not the way the team certainly wanted to go out. Certainly not the way Turnier wanted her career to end.
This is the way things go though. Florida had UCF’s number once again.
