UCF softball run-ruled No. 22 Arizona State in six innings, but that wasn’t why Friday’s performance was a historic one for the Knights. Junior right-hander Grace Jewell twirled a no-hitter against the Sun Devils at the Oklahoma State Tournament in Stillwater on Friday in the Knights’ 8-0 victory.
GRACE THROWS A NO-HITTER!!!!! pic.twitter.com/rw6DDll30c
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) March 17, 2023
Jewell held Arizona State hitless over six innings, striking out four batters, while also walking four, en route to the 21st n0-hitter in the program’s history. According to the Black and Gold Banneret, Jewell became the first pitcher in program history to throw a no-hitter against a top-25 ranked team and a Pac-12 school at that.
Six innings. 91 pitches. Four strikeouts. 𝐙𝐄𝐑𝐎 hits.@f5ftyf5ve was UNHITTABLE. pic.twitter.com/CifBr6NKFA
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) March 17, 2023
UCF was leading 4-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Knights would pile on four more runs to run-rule the Sun Devils, with the winning hit coming off the bat of freshman utility Shelli DiPuma, who came up to the plate as a pinch-hitter. DiPuma’s first career hit was an RBI single to put the finishing touches on Jewell’s no-hitter.
Big shoutout for Shelli DiPuma, who clinched Grace’s no-no with her first collegiate hit!
Oh, and a casual eight-game WWWWWWWWin streak! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/W2yIV4l9gY
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) March 17, 2023
Friday’s win over Arizona State marked eight straight for the 2022 American Athletic Conference champions. The Knights have allowed just two runs over their last five games. They’ll face off against No. 2 Oklahoma State on Friday evening before playing both teams again on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The college softball world reacted to Jewell and UCF’s dominant performance:
Crown Jewell! 21st No-Hitter in @UCF_Softball program history! 1st No-Hitter for @f5ftyf5ve . 1st #UCF pitcher to throw No-Hitter vs top 25 team. 1st No-Hitter vs Pac-12. WOW! https://t.co/uNPankk9d2
— Eric Lopez (@EricLopezELO) March 17, 2023
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://t.co/pRPHGKwMVq
— Go knights, Go bolts (@BoltsKnights) March 17, 2023
Pitching is developing very nicely! Grace has been killing it!!! https://t.co/UTMMEWyset
— Craig Bullock (@PureKnight717) March 17, 2023
Congrats Grace on your no no!! https://t.co/xrZMfCiLf5
— Rita Lynn Gilman (@ritalynngilman) March 17, 2023
No-hit a top 25 team too 👀 https://t.co/WqmSiyJr5t
— Ryan DiPentima (@Ryan_DiPentima) March 17, 2023
Congrats Grace! pic.twitter.com/uO0jSCsng3
— Mark Bemer (@LImuMark407) March 17, 2023
She has been on fire lately! Becoming the true Ace of the staff!
— Craig Bullock (@PureKnight717) March 17, 2023
