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TAMPA, APRIL 13, 2014 – The Bulls late rally fell just short as UCF took the series finale, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon in front of 938 fans at the USF Softball Stadium.

It was a pitcher's duel throughout as starting pitchers Sara Nevins and Mackenzie Audas matched each other inning for inning before the Knights were able to finally break through in the top of the seventh.

A two-run double by UCF center fielder Mariah Garcia proved to be the difference in a game that was tightly contested throughout. Garcia led the Knights (30-13, 7-2) at the plate as the only player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 on the afternoon.

Despite going down two runs in the final frame, the Bulls (30-13, 4-5) battled back in the bottom half of the seventh to cut the lead to one.

Kourtney Salvarola (Arnold, Md.) started things off with an infield single that ricocheted off Audas' glove and Stephanie Medina (Tampa) followed that with her second hit of the day when she singled to center field. Garcia misplayed the ball for UCF allowing Salvarola to score all the way from first to make it 2-1 with a runner on second and no outs.

USF was unable to muster anything after that, however, as Audas recorded three straight outs to pick up her 14^th victory and give the Knights the series win.

Nevins (Pinellas Park, Fla.) was stuck with the loss and fell to 18-7 on the year after giving up two earned runs on six hits while striking out seven in a complete game effort.

“I thought our girls were demonstrating South Florida softball in respect of energy and focus,” head coach Ken Eriksen said. “It got down to the bottom line of the team that played the most flawless, the pitchers that made the most flawless pitches in crucial situations was the team that was going to end up with a better chance to be ahead on the scoreboard at the end of the day.”

The Bulls hit the road next week to take on conference frontrunner Houston on Friday and Saturday. First pitch for Friday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m.  EST and Saturday's series finale will begin at 1 p.m. EST.