UCF softball is playing in the Clearwater Invitational for the fourth year in a row, a four-day tournament that features some of the nation's top college softball teams. After a 6-2 start to the season, the Knights are looking to knock off some top talent and gain momentum for the rest of their season.
The Knights started off the week great at home in Orlando with a comeback victory over No. 16 Missouri in which the Knights came back from a 5-0 deficit and won it with a walk-off hit by transfer Madison Simon in the eighth inning. However, a day later the Knights dropped a tough on against No. 20 Liberty, a game they has a two-run lead in and then lost 5-4.
Now on their first day of the Clearwater Invitational, the Knights have jumped into shark-infested waters and will see how they swim. In their first game against No. 5 Texas A&M, UCF struggled to get runs on the board while the Aggies seemed to have it down to a science.
The Aggies close the game out in five innings as they run-ruled the Knights 9-1, scoring in all but one inning with a big second inning scoring two runs. UCF responded to the Aggies ' two-run first inning with a score of their own in the second inning. UCF starting pitcher Lena Elkins was credited with the loss after pitching just two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits, resulting in two earned runs.
Katelyn Cochran came in for relief for the Knights and pitched an inning and a third, allowing four hits and four earned runs. Macy Miles finished off the game for UCF provided two innings of relief allowing six hits and three earned runs.
Only four players recorded hits for UCF with Samantha Rey leading the way with a double, and Ashleigh Griffin, Kendall Yarnell, and Coco Jamies all getting on with singles.
While a tough loss even against a great Texas A&M team, the Knights have a quick turnaround today as they play Auburn at 3:30 p.m. EST.