After setting the program regulation strikeout record with 16 against Bowling Green, UCF sophomore Shelby Turnier was announced as the American Softball Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Turnier was 3-0 on the week with 38 strikeouts in 20 innings.
In the milestone performance, the Palm Beach Gardens native sent down the final eight batters on strikes, which included five looking. She yielded just one hit in the contest against the Falcons.
Turnier started the week off with a 4-2 triumph over Jacksonville, where she totaled 11 strikeouts. After giving up a homer to surrender the lead, she bounced back and put the Knights back on top, 3-2, with a two-run triple in the fifth.
A combined shutout with sophomore Jamie Ujvari, who notched a save in the seventh, was the highlight against Penn. Turnier was credited with 11 strikeouts during the four hitter.
Turnier improved her record to 9-1 on the year with a 1.37 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 66.1 frames.
The Palm Beach Gardens native became the Knights second pitcher of the week with junior Mackenzie Audas taking the inaugural award following the first weekend out on Feb. 10.
Game Additions
UCF announced additions to its home schedule including No. 1 Florida on March 26 and Stetson on April 22. Both contests at the UCF Softball Complex are set to start at 6 p.m. with the game against the Gators set for premium pricing ($2 more). These tickets are set to be mailed to season ticket holders this week and additional tickets can be purchase by clicking here.
The Knights have also added a mid-week matchup at Stetson on April 9 with the first pitch at 6 p.m.
Five-Game Week
With a bye weekend to open American play, UCF is set to play five mid-week games at the UCF Softball Complex starting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against Southern Illinois (9-10).
The Knights host a trio of contests on Wednesday beginning with Florida Atlantic (17-11) and Yale (1-2) at 1 p.m. A doubleheader for UCF starts at 3:30 p.m. against the Owls and Bulldogs.
No. 21 Notre Dame (17-4) and FIU (16-7) are set to face each other on Thursday at 1 p.m. The Knights battle the Panthers at 3:30 p.m. before taking on the Fighting Irish at 6 p.m.
UCF has won its last seven games to push its mark to 16-7 on the campaign. The squad has posted six shutouts, including three last week.
Junior Mackenzie Audas has won her last three games, yielding just one unearned run during the stretch and fanning 20 batters in 18.2 frames. The Plant City native was tabbed to the American Honor Roll following her impressive week.
The emergence of sophomore designated player Jessica Ujvari has solidified the middle of the Knights lineup. She connected on a pinch-hit grand slam vs. Boston College and drove in six runs for UCF, including the game winner vs. Bowling Green.