Softball Falters At UCF In Series Opener, 3-1

Friday, May 4

Orlando, Fla.

5:30 p.m.

East Carolina University

23-29, 0

UCF

32-21, 0

ECU

UCF

Photo by: Rob Goldberg

May 04, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO, Fla. – ECU put runners on base in six of seven innings Friday but could not muster enough offensively as host UCF claimed a 3-1 victory in the opener of an American Athletic Conference series in Orlando.

Team Records
ECU: 23-29, 8-11 AAC
UCF: 32-21, 10-9 AAC

How it Happened
With two outs on the board in the top of the first, senior Meredith Burroughs doubled to the wall in center field before Tate McClellan, Alex Mycek and Ashley Weingartz each drew walks to put the Pirates ahead 1-0. With the bases still loaded, a strikeout prevented ECU from doing further damage. The Knights tied it up in the bottom of the second via a one-out RBI double off the bat of Erin Emanuel then used two more doubles in the bottom of the third to pull in front 2-1.

The Pirates fell behind further in the bottom of the fifth when a throwing error allowed a run to score with the bases loaded as UCF claimed a 3-1 advantage through five complete. ECU then wasted a prime opportunity in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded and no one out thanks to a double play and fielder's choice force out at third.

Pitchers of Record
WP – Alea White (23-11)
LP – Erin Poepping (13-14)

Top ECU Performers
Meredith Burroughs: 1-for-3, Run, 2B
Ashley Weingartz: RBI, Walk
Alex Mycek: 1-for-2, 2 Walks

Top UCF Performers
Denali Schappacher: 2-for-3, Run, 2B
Erin Emanuel: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B
Alea White: 7.0 IP, 1 Run, 6 Hits, 4 Walks, Strikeout

Things To Note

ECU dropped to 20-18 all-time against UCF
The Pirates left 11 runners on base and had the bases loaded in two innings.
ECU's pitching staff has issued just one walk in its last three outings.

Up Next: The Pirates and Knights continue the series Saturday at Noon. The game has been pushed up two hours due to the threat of inclement weather in the forecast.