UCF Knights softball

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UCF Knights Softball
Softball current event.svg 2025 UCF Knight Softball Team
UCF Knights logo.svg
Founded2002 (23 years ago)
University University of Central Florida
Head coach Cindy Ball-Malone (8th season)
Conference Big 12
Location Orlando, FL
Home stadium UCF Softball Complex (Capacity: 600 [1] )
Nickname UCF Knights
ColorsBlack and gold [2]
   
NCAA super regional appearances
2022
NCAA Tournament appearances
2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Conference tournament championships
2005, 2008, 2015, 2022, 2023
Regular-season conference championships
2014, 2015, 2022

The UCF Knights softball program represents the University of Central Florida in the sport of softball. The Knights compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Big 12 Conference (one of the four NCAA Power Conferences). The Knights play their home games at the UCF Softball Complex (also known as "the Plex") on UCF's main campus in Orange County, Florida near Orlando. [3] The Knights are coached by head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. [4] In the twenty-three year history of the program, the Knights have won three regular season conference championships, five conference tournament championships, and have earned twelve appearances in the NCAA Tournament (including a Super-Regional Appearance in 2022).

Contents

Six UCF Softball players have earned various All-American honors, while UCF Shortstop Stephanie Best was a nominee for the 2005 NCAA Woman Athlete of the Year. After their careers at UCF, a number of Knights have played in pro-Softball leagues, including: Stephanie Best, Allison Kime, Breanne Javier, Shelby Turnier, Jada Cody, and Sarah Willis. Seven players have also made National Team squads, including Abby McClain, Jada Cody and Jasmine Williams (who played for the U.S. Women's National Softball Team). [5]

History

The Renee Luers-Gillispie Era

The Early Years

The UCF softball program was founded in 2002 under Renee Luers-Gillispie. [6] The Knights played their first games on February 2, losing the first contest 2–3 to Bethune–Cookman, and winning their second game against Arkansas, 6–5. [7] The program played its first four seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference (now known as the ASUN Conference). In their last year in the conference, the Knights won their first conference tournament championship, defeating Troy twice in one day, and made their first NCAA tournament appearance. [7] In 2005, UCF moved to Conference USA, where they remained until joining the American Athletic Conference in 2014. [8] UCF joined the Big 12 Conference after the 2023 season. [9]

UCF Softball Complex (32807536346) UCF Softball Complex (32807536346).jpg
UCF Softball Complex (32807536346)

The UCF Softball Complex opened on March 14, 2006, with the Knights winning two games that day, a 10–9 victory over Marshall and a 7–3 win over Furman. [7] [10] In 2008, Gillespie would lead the Knights to their second conference tournament championship, their first in C-USA, and their second appearance in the NCAA tournament, by defeating #9 Houston. During the tournament, UCF defeated #1 Florida 1–0. In both 2010 and 2012, Gillespie led the Knights to the NCAA tournament. [7]

During this period, the Knights earned nine no-hitters, including two perfect games. [7] The first two no-hitters in program history were perfect games, and four no-hitters were pitched by Allison Kime. In 2007, Kime recorded the most strikeouts for a pitcher in program history, earning 18 strikeouts against Florida State to help her team win a 1-0 12-inning victory against the Seminoles. [7] Stephanie Best holds the club record for batting average with .384, home runs with 71 and triples with 13. Best's 71 career home runs record remains in the top-10 all time for NCAA softball players. [7]

UCF in the American Athletic Conference

UCF Softball players engage in the post-game home victory ritual of "the Knights' Noble Chant" after win over the Memphis Tigers at the UCF Softball Complex in April, 2016. UCF Softball Players.jpg
UCF Softball players engage in the post-game home victory ritual of "the Knights' Noble Chant" after win over the Memphis Tigers at the UCF Softball Complex in April, 2016.

After joining the American Athletic Conference in 2014, the Knights began a period of dominance in their new league. During their first years in the conference, UCF earned two conference regular season titles, two conference tournament championships, and three NCAA Tournament appearances. The Knights did not lose a regular season conference series during their first three years in the conference (2014 to 2016), winning 17 regular season conference series in a row from 2014 into the 2017 season. [11]

UCF Softball Pitcher Shelby Turnier on the mound for a home game against the Memphis Tigers in 2016. UCF Softball Pitcher Shelby Turnier.jpg
UCF Softball Pitcher Shelby Turnier on the mound for a home game against the Memphis Tigers in 2016.

The Knights' success during this period was due in large part to dominant pitching. Two UCF players who owned the mound from 2014 to 2015 were Mackenzie Audas and Shelby Turnier; the duo known around UCF Softball as "Shake-and-Bake." Audas still holds many UCF career pitching records, including career strikeouts (945) and No-Hitters (5). Audas' 78 wins rank third all-time in program history. In 2015, Turnier posted the lowest ERA in the nation (0.87); a UCF single-season record. Turnier became the third UCF pitcher in school history to reach 70 career wins and 800 strikeouts. She ranks second all-time in career wins. A few years later, Alea White took over the mound at UCF, and became the all-time leader for wins in program history (99) during her five seasons with the Knights (2017 to 2021). During the 2018 season, White was ranked in the top-25 in all of NCAA Softball for wins on the mound (tied for 22nd). She also holds UCF records for number of starts (139), number of appearances in games (180), innings pitched (969), and complete games (103). Also during that time, UCF Shortstop/Second Baseman Kahley Novak became the program's all-time leader in stolen bases (125). [12]

The Cindy Ball-Malone Era

UCF Softball Coach Cindy Ball-Malone during a home game with Buffalo, 2-8-26. UCF Softball Coach Cindy Ball-Malone 2.jpg
UCF Softball Coach Cindy Ball-Malone during a home game with Buffalo, 2-8-26.

In 2019, Coach Cindy Ball-Malone took over the UCF Softball program when Renee Luers-Gillispie left to become the Head Coach at the University of Iowa. Known as "Coach Bear", Ball-Malone (who had been a successful coach at Boise State) would lead UCF softball to new heights of success. She would later become an Assistant Coach with the United States Women's National Softball team while still the Head Coach at UCF. [13]

UCF Softball hosts Michigan in the 2022 NCAA Orlando Regional Final on May 22, 2022. UCF Softball Complex NCAA Regional 2022.jpg
UCF Softball hosts Michigan in the 2022 NCAA Orlando Regional Final on May 22, 2022.

In 2022, UCF hosted a regional for the first time, winning the regional final by defeating Michigan 9 to 4. The Knights went on to lose in the Super Regionals to that year's Women's College World Series (WCWS) winners, Oklahoma. During this period, the Knights made five straight NCAA Regional Tournament appearances, and played in the final game of three of those five regional tournaments.

UCF Softball game between UCF and Houston, during which UCF Pitcher Sarah Willis (on the pitcher's mound in the photo) pitched a perfect game (April 28, 2023) UCF Softball Complex.jpg
UCF Softball game between UCF and Houston, during which UCF Pitcher Sarah Willis (on the pitcher's mound in the photo) pitched a perfect game (April 28, 2023)

In 2022, UCF First Baseman Shannon Doherty became known as the "Walk-Off Queen" of UCF with three walk-off home runs in wins during that season; two against ranked teams (#12 Georgia; Ole Miss; #5 Virginia Tech). Another legendary player during that period was Jada Cody, who finished her career as the Knights' all-time leader in doubles (54/55), 3rd all-time in total hits (263), and 2nd in RBIs (175) and home runs (39). She recorded 70 hits during the 2023 season and led the nation in hits for a large stretch of that season. On April 28, 2023, UCF Pitcher Sarah Willis pitched a full 7 inning perfect game in a 7–0 win over the Houston Cougars. This was only the 3rd perfect game for a UCF pitcher in program history (the first 7 inning perfect game in UCF Softball history). Willis finished her UCF career ranked sixth in lowest batting average-against (. 198) and lowest ERA (1.98), seventh in saves (3), ninth in winning decisions (29), strikeouts (239), innings pitched (289.2), and shutouts (7), and 10th in complete games (21) at the time of her graduation. In a 2024 1–2 home loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, Willis held that year's Women's College World Series (WCWS) Champions to only two hits; their lowest hits total that year. [12]

UCF ended their 10 years (2014 to 2023) in the American Athletic Conference as the league's most successful program up to that time, with an overall conference record of 126–48–1. The Knights won six Conference Championships during their ten years in the conference (2014 regular season; 2015 regular season and tournament; 2022 regular season and tournament; 2023 tournament).

The Knights Join the Big 12 Conference

UCF Infielder Kendall Trimm during an at bat in a home game with Buffalo, 2-8-26 UCF Softball Player Kendall Trimm.jpg
UCF Infielder Kendall Trimm during an at bat in a home game with Buffalo, 2-8-26

UCF Softball's record of excellent performance carried over into the Big-12 Conference, with the Knights playing in their first Big-12 season in 2024. During that season, the Knights won five of their nine conference series (including two sweeps of conference opponents), and Head Coach Cindy Ball-Malone earned her 200th career win at UCF with a road series win at Texas Tech. She also earned her 300th career win overall as a coach that season. At the end of their first season in the Big 12, the Knights placed 5th in the conference behind three teams that made it to that season's Women's College World Series (WCWS) (Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma State); and placing just behind a Baylor team that played in a Super Regional that season. Their 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance was their 4th in a row. [12]

UCF Softball Pitcher Tori Payne during pre-inning warm ups during a home game against Buffalo, 2-8-26. UCF Softball Player Tori Payne.jpg
UCF Softball Pitcher Tori Payne during pre-inning warm ups during a home game against Buffalo, 2-8-26.

The story of UCF Knights Shortstop Jasmine Williams also gained national attention during this period. She had been the highest rated recruit in the history of the University of Oregon's Softball program when she starting playing there as a Freshman in 2019, but put her college softball career on hold when she became pregnant with her son. Williams had a popular following on social media (up to 100,000 followers), much of it driven by videos she had posted of fun dances she did with one of her Oregon teammates. But after she announced her pregnancy by posting a picture of herself with her baby's father, Williams became the victim of online racial vitriol due to the fact that she was Caucasian and her baby's father was African American. She returned to Oregon to play, but did not see the field in her last season with the Ducks and no longer felt comfortable at Oregon. UCF Coach Ball-Malone had known Williams from their days on the USA U19 National Team (Williams as a player; Ball-Malone as an Assistant Coach), and invited Williams to come to UCF. She would play for two seasons with the Knights (2023–24), earning all-conference honors in 2023. ESPN's Andrea Adelson profiled Williams' story on ESPN in 2024. [14] Williams also appeared in that year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, along with other players from women's programs in the Big 12 Conference. [15]

The 2025 season was expected to be a re-build year, as the team was made up of roughly 60% Sophomore and Freshmen players. Despite that, the Knights finished 35-24-1 overall (.500 in conference play), and earned their first 3-game series sweep on the road against a top-five ranked opponent in program history (#4 Arizona). They tacked on four more top-25 wins in the regular season before moving on to their 5th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and 3rd regional final in five seasons. UCF continued their tradition of pitching excellence as well, thanks in large part to Freshman standout Isabella Vega. During her first year with the program, Vega was one of the Big-12's best pitchers (the Big-12's ERA leader in conference play), and by the end of the season earned First Team All-Big 12, D1Softball Freshman All-America First Team, and NFCA All Region First Team honors. Senior Pitcher Kaitlyn Felton also earned All Regional honors and multiple Big 12 Pitcher of the Week awards. [5]

Rivalries

University of South Florida (the War on I-4)

The UCF Knights have had a long time rivalry with the University of South Florida Bulls, whose campus is 90 miles from Orlando in Tampa. This rivalry, known as "the War on I-4" (named for the interstate highway that connects Orlando and Tampa), has encompassed all sports played by both schools, but it has been just as intense in Softball as it has in any other sport played by the two rival universities. The two softball teams played their first game against each other in 2003, with the Bulls winning the first eight games in the series before the Knights notched their first win against Bulls in 2006.

When UCF and South Florida were both members of the American Athletic Conference, both schools developed an all sports "War on I-4" trophy that would be awarded to one of the two schools on an annual basis based on their head-to-head record in all sports played that year.

During the American Athletic Conference years, the Knights came to dominate the series against the Bulls by a 22 to 10 margin, including 12 straight wins by UCF in the series before the Knights left the conference at the end of the 2023 season. During these years, the Knights defeated the Bulls twice by run rule, but also played 3 extra inning games which saw the Knights win 2 of the 3 matchups.

The final game in the series as of 2025 was in the 2023 American Athletic Conference Softball Tournament, which saw the Knights take down the Bulls 2–0 in the conference semi-final game. Since the Knights have joined the Big 12 Conference, the rivalry is now dormant as there are no future games on the schedule between the two teams as of the end of the 2025 season.

Overall series record: UCF 24 wins, South Florida 19 wins. [16]

University of Florida

The UCF Knights Softball program and the University of Florida Gators Softball program have a long history of playing each other, going back to the 2003 season. Although the Gators have dominated the series by a 26 to 7 margin, the Knights have been able to score periodic wins over the Gators during the course of the series (the first in 2005). In more recent years (between 2021 and 2025), the Knights have closed the margin, winning three of the past seven matchups in the series. This included a dramatic walk-off 8–6 win by the Knights in Orlando in 2021, with the winning two-run home run scored by UCF Catcher Karissa Orneias. In the most recent matchup as of 2025, the Knights took down the Gators 4–0 in a regular season meeting in Orlando on March 26, 2025. The two teams play each other during the regular season most years, and have often met up in NCAA Regional Tournaments. Both UCF Coach Cindy Ball-Malone and Florida Coach Tim Walton have expressed a desire to continue the series on a regular basis as much as scheduling conflicts will allow. The next games between the two programs will be a home-and-home two-game series in the 2026 season.

Overall series record: Florida 26 wins, UCF 7 wins. [17]

Florida Atlantic University

The UCF and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Softball programs have the longest history of any of UCF's in-state rivalries, with the two teams first squaring off in UCF's first softball season (2002). In the period from 2002 to 2008, the Owls owned a winning record over the Knights, winning the series during that period by a 13 to 6 margin. The series was dormant from 2008 until 2014, but the two teams resumed play in the 2014 season, and have played each other in most years since that time. Since 2014, the Knights have turned the tables on the Owls, with UCF dominating the series by a 11 to 2 margin. The Knights have won the last seven matchups in the series, with the most recent being a 3–0 road win over the then #22 ranked Owls on FAU's home field in Boca Raton. The two programs plan to continue the series into the near future, with the next matchup scheduled to be played in Orlando during the 2026 season.

Overall series record: UCF 17 wins, FAU 15 wins. [18]

Stadium

UCF's home field is the UCF Softball Complex, which opened in 2006. Known as "the Plex", the facility has a normal seating capacity of 600 within the facility, but also has seating beyond the outfield fence to accommodate additional fans. There is also a contingent of fans who regularly attend games with their RV's or campers, and park beyond the outfield fence and watch the games.

UCF Softball Complex on Senior Day, 2022. UCF Softball Field 2022.jpg
UCF Softball Complex on Senior Day, 2022.
Stands at the UCF Softball Complex after upgrades to seating were made in 2017. UCF Softball Complex Stands.jpg
Stands at the UCF Softball Complex after upgrades to seating were made in 2017.
Main seating section and tower at the UCF Softball Complex in 2024. UCF Softball Complex Stands 2024.jpg
Main seating section and tower at the UCF Softball Complex in 2024.

In 2021, the Plex received major renovations, which included upgrades to the locker rooms, training facilities, staff offices, and the outfield. New seating was installed in the stands as well, upgrading from metal benches to chair back seating. These seats were replaced once again in 2024 with newer chair back seating. Major upgrades have also been made over the years to the field turf, and state-of-the-art Yakkertech technology has been added to the stadium to allow for better data tracking on ball movement on the field during the games. Instant replay cameras and review equipment have also been added and upgraded over the past few years to allow officials to better review calls during games. Behind the seating sections (beyond home plate) is a media tower for in stadium Public Address Announcer, as well as radio and television media live coverage of the games. Most UCF home games are broadcast on ESPN related networks due to media agreements between ESPN and the Big 12 Conference.

In 2022, temporary seating was added to the stadium for the NCAA Regional Tournament hosted by the Knights that season. The temporary seating sections were added behind both the home and visiting dugouts, as well as behind the outfield fence behind the first baseline. During the tournament, the complex hosted 3,000 fans, including more than 1,200 fans that attended the tournament final which saw UCF defeat Michigan to advance to Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament.

Along the outfield wall are banners celebrating UCF's history of conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. In the stadium concourse, banners are on display honoring past UCF players who have been inducted into the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame. The stadium concourse also features food/drink and fan merchandise concessions. [19]

Future plans call for further upgrades to the facility, including additional seating, an awning over the main seating sections, upgrades and expansion to outfield seating, a second level concourse behind the main seating section, and upgrades to the media tower. [20]

Traditions and Annual Tournaments

The UCF Knights Softball program has developed a number of traditions that have been passed down through the years. Before the game, during the National Anthem, when the song reaches segment that includes the lyrics "gave proof through the night", UCF fans will typically shout the word "NIGHT" in unison in reference to Knights team name. This is a common practice across UCF sports that started at UCF football games during the 1990's. During the game, when the Knights score a run, UCF fans are encouraged to engage in the "U-C-F" chant/cheer to celebrate the run. When a home-run is scored, the public address system will play the Zombie Nation "Kernkraft 400" song, which is commonly played at all UCF sporting events. Fans will often engage in the song's sports chant, with each chant ending with "U-C-F-Knights". When a Knights pitcher records a strikeout, the public address system will typically play the "fireball" chorus from Pitbull's song, "Fireball."

Before the games, when UCF players line up for the National Anthem, they will often be joined by a local softball little league team from the Central Florida region. Known as "softball buddies", the visiting little league players will join the Knights players on the field and stand with them for the anthem. The players will also get a tour of the UCF facility, and get to spend time with the UCF players before the game.

UCF Softball players wearing the "Orlando" home city pride jerseys during the post-game "Knights' Noble Chant" after a run-rule win over Buffalo, 2-8-26. UCF Softball Players 2026.jpg
UCF Softball players wearing the "Orlando" home city pride jerseys during the post-game "Knights' Noble Chant" after a run-rule win over Buffalo, 2-8-26.

A longstanding stadium ritual for players and fans known as the "Knights' Noble Chant" occurs after the team wins a home victory. After the game ends, the players will gather on the field in front of the stands and will engage in the chant (which is a common ritual for Knights fans in all UCF sports), and will be joined in the chant by many fans in the stands to celebrate the victory. [21]

Many UCF traditions are also connected to the variety of uniforms worn by the team during games. The typical uniforms worn by players include an all black uniform combination with black jersey (with the word "Knights" printed in script across the front) and black pants; the alternate all-white uniforms of the same script design as the all black uniforms; and the black and gold pinstripe uniforms (again with the same script design). The Knights also have the "Orlando" home city pride uniforms, with the name of the team's home city emblazoned on the front of the jersey. The Knights' uniform selections also used to include a gold jersey and white pants combination, but this has not appeared on the field in recent years. [22]

There are also several themed games that the Knights play every year. Several games a year will be designated as "Space Games" for the Knights, honoring UCF's connections to the U.S. space program. The University of Central Florida was originally founded as Florida Technological University in the 1960's to support the burgeoning American space efforts on the Florida coast. To this day, there are more UCF graduates working for NASA than graduates of any other university in America. To honor the school's space related heritage, the Knights will wear an alternate black or light blue (referred to as "Canaveral Blue") jersey with a logo reading "Space U" printed on the jersey. [23]

Another themed game for the Knights is the annual Autism Awareness Game, during which UCF players will wear special Autism Awareness Jerseys. This game is normally played near the beginning of April to coincide with Autism Awareness Day. During the first inning of the game, the Knights and the visiting team will play with no music and no public address announcements, with sound slowly being added throughout the game, in deference to those on the spectrum who have high sensory sensitivity. Before the game, fidget toys designed to help those on the spectrum are also given away in the stadium concourse. [24]

UCF Softball typically hosts three annual tournaments towards the early part of the season. The first is the "Black and Gold Classic", usually played on the first weekend, to be followed in later weekends by the "Space U Classic" and the "Charge On Classic" (referring to the common UCF sports slogan of "Go Knights, Charge On"). At each of these tournaments, UCF will host up to five other teams who will all play each other in a round-robin format. The teams will usually be a mix of programs from the other three power-four conferences (SEC, Big-10, or ACC), as well as teams from other conferences such as the Ohio Valley Conference, the Ivy League, and the West Coast Conference. [25]

The Knights will typically play in various tournaments around the country. UCF has been one of the most frequent programs to participate in the annual Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational tournament, having played in the tournament every year starting in 2022. The tournament features sixteen college softball teams from around the nation, with the tournament played at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater, Florida. [26] UCF used to travel to California for tournaments during their days in the American Athletic Conference, but have not done so since joining the Big 12.

Coaches

TenureCoachYearsRecordPct.
2002–2018Renee Luers-Gillispie17522–334–1.610
2019–presentCindy Ball-Malone7251-129-3.659
Totals2 coaches23 seasons773-463–4.625
Records are through the conclusion of the 2025 NCAA Regular Season.

Coaching Honors

Renee Luers-Gillispie: American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2017)

Cindy Ball-Malone: Extra Innings Softball National Coach of the Year (2022), American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2022)

UCF Softball Coaching Staff Collective Awards: American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year (2014, 2015, 2022); NCAA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year (2017); NFCA Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year (2022) [12]

Notable Players

All-American Honors

Stephanie Best: 2005 ESPN the Magazine All-American First Team

Mackenzie Audas: 2015 Capital One All-American First Team

Shelby Turnier: 2015 NFCA Division I All-American First Team

Jada Cody: 2022 D1Softball All-American First Team & Softball America All-American Second Team

Isabella Vega: 2025 D1Softball Freshman All-American First Team & Softball America All-American Freshman Team

Beth Damon: 2025 D1Softball All-American Freshman Second Team

Other Player Recognitions

NCAA Woman Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Best (2005 nominee)

NCAA Division I Softball Statistical Champion: Cici Alvarez (2007 winner)

National Player of the Year: Shelby Turnier (2015 finalist)

Louisville Slugger Awards: Stephanie Best, Allison Kime, Sarah Willis, Makayla McClain, Katie Stewart

UCF Athletics Hall of Fame

Name and Year Inducted: Stephanie Best (2015), Allison Kime (2019), Natalie Land (2021), Mackenzie Audas (2022), Shelby Turnier (2023).

Knights in the Pros

National Pro Fastpitch: Stephanie Best, Allison Kime, Breanne Javier, Shelby Turnier, Kahley Novak, Samantha McCloskey

Women's Professional Fast Pitch (WPF): Gianna Mancha, Stormy Kotzelnick, Kaitlyn Felton, Jada Cody, Sona Halajian

Athletes Unlimited (AU): Sarah Willis

Knights on National Softball/Baseball Teams

U.S. National Softball Team: Abby McClain, Jada Cody, Jasmine Williams

Sweden Women's National Softball Team: Linnea Goodman

Puerto Rico Women's National Softball Team: Gianna Mancha, Yessenia Lopez

U.S. Women's National Baseball Team: Natalie Land

Conference Honorees

Conference Player of the Year Awards: Stephanie Best (3x Atlantic Sun/A-SUN Conference Player of the Year; 2003, 2004, 2005), Farrah Sullivan (2014 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year), Jessica Ujvari (2015 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year)

Conference Pitcher of the Year Awards: Mackenzie Audas (Conference-USA 2012), Shelby Turnier (American Athletic Conference 2015), Gianna Mancha (American Athletic Conference 2022), Sarah Willis (American Athletic Conference 2023)

Conference Defensive Player of the Year Awards: Justene Molina (American Athletic Conference 2022)

Conference Freshman/Rookie Player of the Year Awards: Amber Lamb (Atlantic Sun/A-SUN Conference 2004), Mackenzie Audas (Conference-USA 2012), Micaela Macario (American Athletic Conference 2022)

Conference Newcomer of the Year Awards: Marquita Council (Conference-USA 2008)

All Conference Players

YearFirst TeamSecond TeamFreshman/Rookie Team
(Atlantic Sun Conference)(2002–2005)
2002Dottie Cupp, Jania ShinhosterStephanie Best
2003Dottie Cupp, Stephanie Best
2004Stephanie Best, Janine ShinhosterJaney Solano, Ashley Van RyanAmber Lamb
2005Stephanie Best, Lindsay Enders, Cici AlvarezAllison Krayer, Janell TimmsCat Snapp, Cici Alvarez
(Conference-USA)(2006–2013)
2006Allison KimeBreanne Javier
2007Allison Kime, Kacie Feaster, Breanne JavierHillary Barrow
2008Allison Kime, Breanne JavierTiffany Lane, Abby McClain
2009Tiffany LaneBreanne Javier
2010Tiffany Lane, Natalie Land, Ashleigh ColeAbby McClain
2011Natalie LandTiffany LaneMarissa Menendez
2012Natalie Land, Mackenzie AudasFarrah Sullivan, Vanessa PerezMackenzie Audas, Farrah Sullivan, Kahley Novak, Hayley Barrow
2013Shelby Turnier, Taylor Wagner
(American Athletic Conference)(2014–2023)
2014Farrah Sullivan, Shelby TurnierMackenzie Audas, Jessica Ujvari, Linnea Goodman
2015Mackenzie Audas, Shelby Turnier, Kahley Novak, Farrah Sullivan, Linnea Goodman, Maddy Schroeder, Jessica UjvariBrittany Solis
2016Shelby Turnier, Samantha McCloskey, Cassady BrewerJamie Ujvari, Kalyn Cenal, Courtney Rotton, Jessica UjvariCassady Brewer
2017Cassady BrewerJasmine Esparza, Alea White, Courtney RottonAlea White, Kyra Klarkowski, Autumn Gillespie
2018Cassady Brewer, Denali ScappacherAlea White, Megan Greenwell, Erin EmanuelDenali Schappacher
2019Alea WhiteCassady BrewerDamaria Cannon, Karissa Ornellas, Breanna Vasquez
2020Covid Year-No Honors Awarded by ConferenceCovid Year-No Honors Awarded by ConferenceCovid Year-No Honors Awarded by Conference
2021Jada Cody, Jazmine Esparza, Denali Schappacher, Alea WhiteShannon Doherty, Kyra Klarkowski, Gianna Mancha, Karissa OrnellasKennedy Searcy, Jada Cody, Juliana Wilson
2022Kennedy Searcy, Jada Cody, Justene Molina, Gianna Mancha, Denali SchappacherKama Woodall, Ashleigh Griffin, Micaela MacarioAshleigh Griffin, Micaela Macario
2023Sarah Willis, Jada Cody, Shannon Doherty, Micaela Macario, Kennedy SearcyChloe Evans, Jasmine Williams, Aubrey EvansAubrey Evans
(Big 12 Conference)(2024–Present)
2024Sarah WillisShannon Doherty, Chloe EvansSierra Humphreys, Samantha Rey
2025Isabella VegaAubrey Evans, Sierra HumphreysIsabella Vega, Izzy Mertes, Beth Damon

[27]

Seasons

Statistics overview
SeasonCoachOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
UCF Knights (Atlantic Sun)(2002–2005)
2002Renee Luers-Gillispie 46–1912–63rd
2003Renee Luers-Gillispie 37–3113–74th
2004Renee Luers-Gillispie 42–2116–42nd
2005Renee Luers-Gillispie 47–29–113–74th NCAA Regionals
UCF Knights (Conference USA)(2006–2013)
2006Renee Luers-Gillispie 19–374–209th
2007Renee Luers-Gillispie 38–2611–134th
2008Renee Luers-Gillispie 49–2016–72nd NCAA Regionals
2009Renee Luers-Gillispie 27–2711–125th
2010Renee Luers-Gillispie 36–2316–73rd NCAA Regionals
2011Renee Luers-Gillispie 22–3211–136th
2012Renee Luers-Gillispie 39–1915–93rd NCAA Regionals
2013Renee Luers-Gillispie 29–2510–143rd
UCF Knights (American Athletic Conference)(2014–2023)
2014Renee Luers-Gillispie 43–1815–31st NCAA Regionals
2015Renee Luers-Gillispie 48–715–21st NCAA Tournament
2016Renee Luers-Gillispie 38–2212–42nd NCAA Regionals
2017Renee Luers-Gillispie 29–2311–73rd
2018Renee Luers-Gillispie 34–2212–93rd
2019Cindy Ball-Malone 34–2111–105th
2020Cindy Ball-Malone 21–5–10–01st
2021Cindy Ball-Malone 41–19–116–7–13rd NCAA Regionals
2022Cindy Ball-Malone 49–1416–21st NCAA Super Regional
2023Cindy Ball-Malone 40–2115–32nd NCAA Regionals
UCF Knights (Big 12 Conference)(2024–present)
2024Cindy Ball-Malone 31-2512-155th NCAA Regionals
2025Cindy Ball-Malone 32-1712-127th NCAA Regionals
Total:739–431–3

      National champion        Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion        Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion      Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

See also

References

  1. "UCF Softball Complex". Archived from the original on 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  2. "Colors | University of Central Florida Brand Guide" . Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  3. McMurphy, Brett (3 April 2013). "Old Big East now American Athletic". ESPN. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  4. 2011 UCF Knights Softball Quick Facts Archived 2011-08-10 at the Wayback Machine
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  6. 2010 UCF Knights Softball Media Guide
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UCF Knights Softball History and Records Archived 2011-08-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. UCF Conference Affiliation History [ dead link ]
  9. "American Announces Agreements With UCF, Cincinnati and Houston on Departure" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  10. "UCF Softball Complex". Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  11. "Falling in Series Finale". ucfknights.com. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "UCF Knights Softball". UCF Knights Athletics.
  13. "Cindy Ball-Malone". USA Softball. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  14. "Jasmine Williams balances softball, motherhood and social media stardom". ESPN. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
  15. "Meet the Big 12 Athletes Featured in the 2024 SI Swimsuit Issue". Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
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  17. "Softball History vs University of Central Florida". Florida Gators Athletics. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
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  20. "UCF Athletics Drops New Facility Renderings in Tourism Tax Pitch". Black and Gold Banneret. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  21. "UCF Knights Softball". UCF Knights Athletics. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  22. "UCF Knights Softball". UCF Knights Athletics. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
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  25. "Softball Set to Host Black and Gold Classic". UCF Knights Athletics. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  26. "Shriners Children's Clearwater Softball Invitational". Shriners Children's Clearwater Softball Invitational. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  27. [ucfknights.com "UCF Knights Athletics"]. UCF Knights Athletics. Retrieved 19 December 2025.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)