Troy University Athletics
Troy Falls To UCF IN A-Sun Tournament Championship
5/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Golden Knights of Central Florida defeated the Trojans in two games 2-1 and 3-1 to win the 2005 Atlantic Sun Tournament. The Golden Knights forced the if-necessary game with Troy to take the championship.
In game one UCF broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning when center fielder Janie Shinhoster doubled to right to drive in Crystie Kraft and Kacie Feaster who both reached base on walks. After two complete innings the Golden Knights held a 2-0 lead over the Trojans.
Troy second baseman Brooke Powell singled to right to open up the top of the third. Powell was pinch-run for by junior Paige Foster who reached second on a Caurie Miller sacrifice bunt. Senior Jenny Boyd then grounded out to the pitcher as Foster advanced to third. Right fielder Stacey Dwyer then singled to left to drive home Foster and cut UCF's lead in half.
UCF threatened again in the bottom of the fourth when Feaster singled to left and then advanced to second on a Shinhoster walk. Cici Alvarez then laid down a bunt to reach base but Feaster was thrown out trying to make it home. After four the score remained 2-1 in the Golden Knights favor.
2-1 would be the final as UCF forces the if-necessary game with the Trojans. Sophomore Jocelyn McCallum got the start but struggled to find the strike zone as she gave up two runs on four hits striking out six. With the loss McCallum falls to 20-9 on the season.
In game two UCF once again started the scoring in the game as Bryttani Lindheim doubled with the bases loaded to drive home three runs in the top of the third inning. Feaster, Shinhoster and Alvarez all came around to score on the double by Lindheim. After two and a half innings the Golden Knights held a 3-0 lead.
Caurie Miller started off the bottom of the third with a walk to get on base. Boyd then singled to right to reach base and advance Miller to second. Dwyer then advanced both runners on a sacrifice bunt. However the Trojans were unable to capitalize on the runners in scoring position and continued to trail the Golden Knights by three after three complete innings.
Howren led-off the bottom of the sixth with a double down the right field line. She was then pinch-run for by Foster who reached third on a Belin ground out. Brittany Krbec then hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive home Foster and put the Trojans on the board. After six UCF led Troy 3-1.
UCF would take the game 3-1 as the Golden Knights win the 2005 Atlantic Sun Tournament. For the Trojans it was their 21st loss of the season as Kacie Flinn was given the loss. Flinn is now 20-9 on the season.
For their efforts Bonnie Belin, Tamra Howren, and Jocelyn McCallum were honored with all-tournament awards. With the win UCF gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals while Troy will have to wait until Sunday to find out if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA's.
-TROJANS-
