Orlando, Fla. – The Furman softball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon dropping a doubleheader to the 24^th-ranked Central Florida Knights in non-conference action from the UCF Softball Complex.

Furman falls to 9-12 on the season while Central Florida improves to 25-7 overall.

The Knights defeated the Paladins 8-0 in six innings during game one and 8-4 in game two.

Game 1 – Furman 0, UCF 8
Gianna Mancha did not allow a hit over six innings and Jada Cody went 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead Central Florida to an 8-0 victory in game one.

Mancha (10-2) registered eight strikeouts while walking four to earn the victory. Sierra Tufts (5-5) suffered the loss after giving up eight runs on 11 hits, two walks and five strikeouts over 5.2 innings of work.

The Knights scored three runs in each of the first two innings to take a 6-0 lead. Cody began the scoring with her RBI single and later came home on Ashleigh Griffin's RBI single. Shannon Doherty recorded the final run after stealing home. In the bottom of the second, Kennedy Searcy drove in all three runs on her home run to center field.

Central Florida ended the game in the bottom of the sixth when Cody plated Johneisha Rowe and Micaela Macario following her two RBI double.

Emily Bartlett recorded two walks for Furman and Ashlee Lykins and Lauralee Scott drew one apiece.

Cody led the Knights with three hits and three RBI while Searcy added three RBI. Rowe scored three runs and contributed two hits.

Game 2 – Furman 4, UCF 8
Rowe had three hits and three runs, and Cody tallied three RBI, to help the Knights complete the doubleheader sweep with an 8-4 win in game two.

Kaitlyn Felton (3-2) picked up the win pitching four innings and surrendered four runs (three earned) on seven hits, no walks and four strikeouts. Scott (2-4) took the loss throwing four innings while allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits, two walks and one strikeout.

Riley Ludlam gave the Paladins an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when her RBI double to right field brought home Lykins.

UCF responded by scoring a run in the bottom of the first and five in the second to go in front 6-1. Rowe tied the game in the first after stealing home and Searcy and Cody both had two RBI in the second inning. Searcy started the scoring in the bottom of the second with a single to left field and Cody followed with a triple and scored on a Furman throwing error.

The Paladins responded with three runs in the top of the fifth highlighted by Ludlam's two RBI double to left center field. Bartlett, who had an RBI double earlier in the inning, and Natalie Morgan both came home on the double by Ludlam.

The Knights extended their lead to 8-4 after scoring one run each in the fifth and sixth innings. Doherty homered in the bottom of the fifth and Cody added an RBI sacrifice fly during the sixth.

Ludlam went 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead Furman while Bartlett went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Morgan contributed two hits and Lykins scored two runs.

Rowe led UCF with three hits and three runs and Searcy provided two hits. Cody had a team high three RBI.

Up Next
The Paladins and Knights conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m.