News Summary
The UCF softball team is buzzing with excitement as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 season, starting with the Black & Gold Classic. Led by head coach Cindy Ball-Malone, the team blends senior leadership and new talent, eager to improve upon last year’s record. With a challenging schedule ahead, including matchups against ranked opponents, the Knights are focused on both athletic success and academic excellence, displaying a remarkable team GPA of 3.42.
Excitement Builds in Orlando as UCF Softball Team Prepares for 2025 Season
Here in sunny Orlando, there’s a buzz in the air as the UCF softball team gears up for the highly anticipated 2025 season. Kicking things off on February 6, the Knights are set to showcase their skills during the Black & Gold Classic. Fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting the action!
A Fresh Mix of Senior Leadership and Talented Newbies
At the helm of this enthusiastic squad is head coach Cindy Ball-Malone, who is positively brimming with excitement about the new roster. With a fantastic blend of seasoned players and hotshot fresh faces, the team is ready for anything that comes their way. The lone senior on the roster, Kaitlyn Felton, is keen to shine in her final season after spending four remarkable years with the Knights. With a 3.72 ERA over 214.1 innings and an impressive 165 strikeouts, she’s carved out a name for herself in UCF’s history books, ranking in the top ten for several career statistics.
Felton’s performance in the 2024 season was nothing short of stellar, with career-highs including 19 starts, 87 innings pitched, and a total of four complete games. Her strong showing in conference play, with only three doubles allowed, landed her a team-leading 11 wins. What a way to cap off her collegiate experience!
Returning Talents and New Stars
The team doesn’t just rely on its senior alone. Stormy Kotzelnick, an infielder/outfielder who hails from Louisiana, will be returning for her second season. She made quite the splash during the “space games” last season, boasting an impressive .471 batting average. This year, she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with!
Joining the Knights this season is Madison Simon, who transferred after an extraordinary four years at Oregon State, where she played a crucial role in their 2022 Women’s College World Series run. That experience is sure to bolster the team’s confidence and skills. Additionally, Deana Cunningham is stepping into her first collegiate season with outstanding high school stats, where she hit a remarkable .456 with 51 RBIs. Talk about making an entrance!
Challenging Matchups Ahead
As the Knights prepare for their season, they will dive straight into the action with critical matchups against CSU Bakersfield and gritty No. 14 Georgia. Following the Black & Gold Classic, the schedule includes tough competitors like NC State and Illinois, setting the stage for an intense season. UCF is aiming to upgrade their overall record of 31-25 and 12-15 in the Big 12 from last year, and it’s clear they’re ready to take on the challenge with fortitude!
Building Strength Off the Field
The team has seen some turnover, losing 11 players from the previous lineup, yet they are not deterred. They welcome supporting graduate assistants from last season to maintain a strong support system. This year’s recruiting class was ranked 24th nationally, with underclassmen stepping up to fill in the gaps. The Knights also boast a standout freshman right-hand pitcher, Yessenia Lopez, who earned silver with Puerto Rico at the 2023 Pan American Games, heightening expectations for this season.
UCF is projecting a solid performance this year, having been picked 7th in the Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. The competition will certainly be fierce, with the Knights facing ranked opponents such as No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 4 Oklahoma State. The season closes with the highly anticipated Big 12 Tournament running from May 7-10, 2025, at the iconic USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
With a remarkable team GPA of 3.42 at the end of the fall semester, it’s clear that the Knights are not just focused on the game but also maintaining academic excellence, proving that they are champions on and off the field. Keep your eyes peeled for what promises to be an action-packed season for UCF softball—go Knights!
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