Orlando, Fla. ? The Stetson softball team's (38-22) second matchup this season against rival UCF (40-17) went no better than the first one as the Knights blanked the Hatters 8-0 in a game that ended in five innings via the eight run-rule Sunday at the UCF Softball Complex.  UCF also beat Stetson 6-0 at Patricia Wilson Field on Feb. 20.

UCF senior pitcher Allison Kime made the final home start of her career a memorable two-hit shutout, striking out seven batters.  The Knights scored three unearned runs in the third, taking advantage of a Hatter error, and plated five more in the bottom of the fourth to put the game away.  Stetson suffered just its second run-rule loss in 60 games this season; the other came on the road by the same 8-0 five-inning score at the hands of third-ranked Florida on Feb. 17.

First baseman Breanne Javier went two for three with three RBI to lead the Knights, who are receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll.  Third baseman Hillary Barrow and second baseman Abby McLain drove in two runs apiece.  Sophomore center fielder Amy Joyce (Lake Mary, Fla.) and sophomore designated player Amanda Lindsey (Byhalia, Miss.), who later came into the game in relief of starter Erica Demers (Miami, Fla.) had the hits for Stetson.

Demers was tagged with her ninth loss of the season although all three runs scored against her were unearned.  She gave up two hits and a walk in three innings and struck out one.

The Hatters return to Patricia Wilson Field on Tuesday for their Atlantic Sun conference regular season finale, a doubleheader against league-leading Florida Gulf Coast (48-14, 16-4 A-Sun).  Stetson will be looking to deny the Eagles the outright regular season championship, which it can accomplish with a sweep of FGCU.  First pitch is set for 5 p.m.  Live stats, live video and Jamie Bataille's broadcast of the games are all available through www.gohatters.com, the official online home of Stetson Athletics.