ORLANDO – Gardner-Webb dropped its doubleheader with UCF Thursday, on day one of the three-day tournament.
 
Central Florida jumped out to a hot start in the first game, scoring five runs in the first inning. Gardner-Webb allowed just one hit each in the second and third innings before UCF scored a run in the fourth.
 
The No. 22 ranked Knights would add two runs in the sixth to end game one.
 
Kasey Fava hit a single and Adrienne Visintine registered a single and double in three at-bats.
 
Andrea Lyon started on the mound and Kalyn Kyle replaced her for the sixth.
 
In game two of the doubleheader Gardner-Webb struck first, scoring a run in the first inning. Kiara Kennedy hit a two-out single to centerfield. Andrea Lyon followed with a single of her own and both players advanced on an error. Freshman Taylor Perry singled to centerfield and scored Kennedy to put the 'dogs on top 1-0.
 
Central Florida responded immediately, scoring six runs to take a 5-run advantage into the second.
 
In the top of the second, Annicka McLaughlin singled to third base before Visintine reached on a wild pitch. Fava singled to left field and scored McLaughlin to make it 6-2.
 
The Knights went on to add four runs.
 
Fava, Kennedy, Lyon, and Perry all had hits while McLaughlin was 2-2 with two singles. Fava and Perry had the 'dogs two RBIs.
 
A pair of freshmen pitched for the Runnin' Bulldogs with Alli Stidham starting and Clara Wyatt taking over in the fifth.
 
Gardner-Webb is next in action Friday, February 24. They will take on Bradley at 9:00 A.M. and Columbia at 11:30 A.M. in day two of the Knights Classic tournament.