The UCF Knights Softball team’s youth movement continues into 2026 as it tries for a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. With limited losses to graduations, much of last season’s production returns as last season’s freshman phenoms mature into sophomores, and a new group of potential freshman phenoms takes their shots.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Knights for 2026:
Last Season
35-24-1 (12-12 Big 12), Lost in Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals, Eliminated in NCAA Austin Regional Final
It was a roller coaster of a season for a youth-dominated UCF team.
It saw the rise of a new core of underclassmen with Isabella Vega, Izzy Mertes and Beth Damon; however, with their rise came learning curves. While they tied a program record for the most wins against Top 25 teams in a season, they also got swept at home by Iowa State and gave up 11 runs in one inning against Stetson.
However, they ended up rallying from those moments, whether it was making the largest comeback in program history to beat the Hatters or finishing the season strong with their first Big 12 Tournament win in program history and a fifth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.
This Season
Picked 5th in Big 12 preseason coaches poll
The Knights are caught in the middle of a once-again tough Big 12 softball league that includes the last season’s World Series runner-up, Texas Tech, who are favored to take the league once again.
UCF, which is predicted to finish 5th in the league, returns a majority of its production from last season, though it will need another pitcher to step up to pair with Isabella Vega, with teams like Arizona State and the Red Raiders returning pitchers like Kenzie Brown, NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry.
Check out our 2025 Softball Preview podcast below:
Who’s in Charge?
Cindy Ball-Malone – 8th season with UCF
Fresh off getting her contract extended for an additional two seasons through 2029, Cindy Ball-Malone is back seeking a sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance for the Knights. Such an appearance would mark just the fourth instance in UCF history that one of its programs earned an NCAA Tournament berth for longer than five consecutive tournaments.
Ball-Malone also retains her coaching staff from last season in Shannon Saile, Noah Sanders and Stacie Pestrak.
| Year | Overall | Conference | Conference Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34-21 | 11-10 | Lost in AAC Quarterfinals (Wichita State) | N/A |
| 2020 | 21-5-1 | 0-0 | No Conference Tournament (COVID) | No NCAA Tournament (COVID) |
| 2021 | 41-19-1 | 16-7-1 | Lost in AAC Championship Game (Wichita State) | Lost in Regional Final to #8 Florida State |
| 2022 | 49-14 | 16-2 | Won AAC Tournament | Lost in in Super Regional to #1 Oklahoma |
| 2023 | 40-21 | 15-3 | Won AAC Tournament | Lost in Tallahassee Regional to #20 South Carolina |
| 2024 | 31-25 | 12-15 | Lost in Big 12 Quarterfinals (Baylor) | Lost in Tallahassee Regional to Auburn |
| 2025 | 35-24-1 | 12-12 | Lost in Big 12 Quarterfinals (Arizona) | Lost in Regional Final to #3 Texas |
| 251-129-3 | 82-49-1 | 2 Conference Tournament Titles | 5 Appearences |
Listen to our own Eric Lopez’s season preview interview with Coach Ball-Malone below:
What to Watch for
Pitching Staff Depth
With the graduation of Kaitlyn Felton, the Knights are in need of another reliable starter to pair with their star arm in Isabella Vega. This season, Ball-Malone has several options for the role with eight other pitchers on the roster (not including Vega).
Of the three other returning arms, sophomore Yessenia Lopez has the most starting experience from last season, doing so in 18 games.
However, there are also four new freshman arms that could factor into the equation as well, or even make the Knights’ starting rotation even deeper. While all four of them were named as part of Softball America’s Freshman Watch List, righty Ava Stuewe was the only one to make it onto D1Softball’s D100 Freshman Watch List.
Lopez showed last season that Ball-Malone is not opposed to giving freshmen the ball right away, so the amount of quality depth they could add to the pitching staff could be a deciding factor in how far the Knights could go this season.
Lots of Lineup Changes
Ball-Malone said one of her strengths was “utilizing the entire roster,” and this season she is set to put it to the test. Even with so much returning production. She said she talked about “paying rent every day” with the team in order for UCF’s starters to keep their spots in the lineup, even with so much returning production, and fend off the transfers or freshmen that might be gunning for that starting job.
Players to Watch
Isabella Vega – Pitcher
After her breakout debut last season, Isabella Vega has earned recognition from the Big 12 in the form of an All-Big 12 Preseason selection this season. However, this time around, most Big 12 batters will get the opportunity to face her with the benefit of hindsight from last season.
Coach Ball-Malone said Vega is one of the most competitive people on the team, and that instead of challenging her directly, she challenged someone else to “try and take the ball from her.”
“That usually gets her feisty,” Ball-Malone said.
Coco Jaimes – Infielder
After a surge in offense to end last season, plus playing in a summer league and on-campus training, Ball-Malone said Coco Jaimes “might be trying to make a run” for the lead-off hitting spot.
She might not have made it to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team last season like Beth Damon or Izzy Mertes, but she could stand to be the sophomore who makes the biggest jump between last season and this one.
Check out every interview from 2026 UCF Softball Media Day on the KnightShift YouTube Channel here.
Who’s New That’s Good
The Freshman Class (again)
Just like last season, the Knights are in another highly regarded group of freshmen, with six of them making it onto Softball America’s Freshman Watch List.
Of these six, only pitcher Ava Stuewe and infielder Kendall Trimm made it onto D1Softball’s D100 Freshman Watch List.
Ball-Malone said that her four freshman pitchers were “some of the hardest workers,” and Trimm and outfielder Ayala Durant had “big bats.”
Kalista Birkenstock – Outfielder
During her press conference at Media Day, Ball-Malone emphasized she looked for speed in the transfer portal this offseason, and none of her portal acquisitions embody that more than former Florida Gulf Coast outfielder Kalista Birkenstock.
Birkenstock mostly served as a pinch runner in her 41 appearances for the Eagles, stealing 23 bases out of 28 attempts, but she has also taken advantage of limited hitting opportunities with a .429 batting average.
Who We’ll Miss
Stormy Kotzelnick – Utility Player
Coach Ball-Malone deployed Kotzelnick in multiple roles in her final collegiate season, playing in the infield, outfield and at designated player. She finished her season with a .293 batting average, 10 doubles and 27 RBIs.
After spending the summer in Orlando with the WPF’s Orlando Monarchs, Kotzelnick signed with El Águila de Veracruz (The Eagle of Veracruz in English) of the Mexican Softball League in November. She is currently in the midst of her second season with the team, which began back in January.
Kaitlyn Felton – Pitcher
Kaitlyn Felton stepped up in 2025, especially in high-leverage situations, to end her collegiate playing career on a high note. She became the Knights’ No. 2 pitcher behind Isabella Vega, going 14-4 and earning four saves with a 2.46 ERA and 69 strikeouts.
After a summer playing for the WPF’s Orlando Monarchs, Felton is returning to the program as a graduate assistant, following in the footsteps of other former players like Sarah Willis and Shannon Doherty. While her influence will still be felt in the locker room, the Knights are going to need a new pitcher to step up in her place in the pitching rotation in 2026.
Roster Breakdown
- 6 Seniors
- 3 Juniors
- 10 Sophomores
- 9 Freshmen
- 7 Floridians (3 Central Floridians)
| No. | Name | Position | Year | Hometown | 2025 School | 2025 Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Destiny Washington | OF | R-So. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | UCF | Redshirted 2025 season due to transfer rules. |
| 1 | Ayala Durant | OF | Fr. | Fuquay-Varina, N.C. | Fuquay-Varina HS | N/A |
| 2 | Samantha Rey | INF | Jr. | Salinas, Calif. | UCF | Started 57 of 60 games played. Hit for .250 BA, 9 2B and 14 RBIs. |
| 3 | Aubrey Evans | INF | Sr. | Apopka, Fla. | UCF | Named All-Big 12 Second-Team. Started 59 of 60 games played. Hit for .320 BA, 8 2B, 3 3B, 10 HRs and 33 RBIs. |
| 4 | Katelyn Cochran | RHP | Sr. | North Augusta, S.C. | UCF | Pitched in 14 games (started 3). 6.87 ERA, 18.1 IP, 1-2, 5 SOs. |
| 5 | Reagan Vokoun | LHP | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest HS | N/A |
| 6 | Maliah Warren | INF | Fr. | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe West HS | N/A |
| 8 | Sierra Humphreys | INF | Jr. | Corona, Calif. | UCF | Named All-Big 12 Second Team. Started all 57 games played. Hit for .355 BA, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HRs, 15 SBs, and 22 RBIs. |
| 9 | Hildie Dempsey | LHP/OF | Fr. | Jefferson, Wis. | Jefferson HS | N/A |
| 10 | Taylor Kittleman | INF | R-So. | Lancaster, Penn. | UCF | Started 18 of 49 games played. Hit for .270 BA. |
| 11 | Macy Miles | RHP/UTL | R-Jr. | Baton Rouge, La. | UCF | Pitched in 10 games (started 1). 4.30 ERA,14.2 IP, 1-1, 6 SOs. Played in 24 games total (started 4), Hit for .200 BA. |
| 12 | Coco Jaimes | INF | So. | Riverside, Calif. | UCF | Started 39 of 57 games played. Hit for .241 BA and 11 RBIs. |
| 13 | Kalista Birkenstock | OF | So. | Marlboro, N.Y. | Florida Gulf Coast | Played in 41 games (mostly as pinch runner). Scored 13 runs and stole 23 bases. |
| 15 | Yessenia Lopez | RHP | So. | New York, N.Y. | UCF | Pitched in 28 games (started 18). 4.36 ERA, 88.1 IP, 2-8, 84 SOs. |
| 18 | Tori Payne | RHP | Fr. | Wellington, Fla. | Wellington HS | N/A |
| 20 | Kendall Trimm | INF | Fr. | Moody, Ala. | Moody HS | N/A |
| 21 | Isabella Vega | RHP | R-So. | Bradenton, Fla. | UCF | Named All-Big 12 First Team and unanimous Big 12 All-Freshman Selection. Pitched in 32 games (started 20). 1.70 ERA, 135.2 IP, 14-7, 110 SOs. |
| 22 | Lena Elkins | RHP | Sr. | Nitro, W.Va. | UCF | Pitched in 12 games (Started 6). 5.32 ERA, 25.0 IP, 3-2, 14 SOs. |
| 25 | Shyanne Irvin | C | Fr. | Lafayette, La. | St. Thomas More HS | N/A |
| 26 | Maddie Parker | C | Fr. | Tampa, Fla. | Wharton HS | N/A |
| 27 | Ashleigh Griffin | C/1B | R-Sr. | Newnan, Ga. | UCF | Started 57 of 59 games played. Hit for .298 BA, 6 HRs, 25 walks, and 32 RBIs. |
| 28 | Izzy Mertes | INF | So. | Chatsworth, Calif. | UCF | Named All-Big 12 Freshman Team. Started all 59 games played. Hit for .315 BA, 16 2B, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs and 30 walks. |
| 32 | Zoe Calvez | OF | So. | Orlando, Fla. | LSU | Played in 7 games in 2025, mostly as a pinch runner. |
| 34 | Kayla Alexandre | C | R-Sr. | Oviedo, Fla. | Florida A&M | Started 15 of 33 games played. Hit for .200 BA, 3 2B and 5 RBIs. |
| 44 | Carley Jo Penner | OF | Sr. | Wintersville, Ohio | Kent State | Hit in 52 games, pitched in 17 games (starting 7). Hit for .205 average, .283 OBP, 16 RBIs, 7 SBs. Pitched 43.1 innings, 8.24 ERA, 1-8, 12 strikeouts. |
| 48 | Ava Stuewe | RHP | Fr. | Fredericksburg, Texas | Fredericksburg HS | N/A |
| 77 | Kendall Yarnell | INF | So. | Olathe, Kan. | UCF | Started 14 of 50 games played. Hit for .339 BA. |
| 80 | Beth Damon | C/1B | So. | Edmond, Okla. | UCF | Named All-Big 12 Freshman Team. Started 54 of 58 games played. Hit for .277 BA, 8 HRs and 37 RBIs. |
Schedule Breakdown
The Knights get their season started with a home stretch that is highlighted by games against #16 Duke and a rematch with Missouri, with whom they went into extra innings last season.
After that, UCF travels to Clearwater for five games, four of which will be against teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, and two of them made it to the Super Regionals.
The Knights return home to finish their run-up to conference play with highlights being matchups against Penn State and the defending American Conference regular-season champions, Florida Atlantic.
The first three series of Big 12 play are set to be tests for UCF, first with a road trip to #19 Oklahoma State before returning home to host a scrappy Baylor squad and last season’s Women’s College World Series runner-up, #1 Texas Tech.
The schedule lets up slightly the rest of the way, as much as a Big 12 schedule can anyway, though they do have a tough road trip to Tempe to take on an Arizona State team that made the NCAA Tournament. The Knights also take advantage of their off weekend of conference play to host ASUN Tournament Champion North Florida and play a home-and-home with #5 Florida.
| Day | Date | H/A/N | Time (ET) | Opponent | 2025 RPI | 2025 record | UCF Results LY | Last Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Feb. 5 | H | 3 p.m. | Boston University | 108 | 39-19 (17-4 Patriot) | – | Eliminated in Norman Regional. 2nd in Patriot League and Patriot League Tournament Champion |
| Thursday | Feb. 5 | H | 6 p.m. | CSU Bakersfield | 251 | 16-34 (8-20 Big West) | Won, 10-0 (5 innings) | 9th in Big West. |
| Friday | Feb. 6 | H | 7 p.m. | Duke | 15 | 41-18 (18-9 ACC) | – | T-4th in ACC. |
| Saturday | Feb. 7 | H | 7 p.m. | Maryland | 125 | 18-31 (3-19 Big Ten) | – | 16th in Big Ten. |
| Sunday | Feb. 8 | H | 11 a.m. | Buffalo | 234 | 17-33 (10-17 MAC) | – | T-8th in MAC. |
| Sunday | Feb. 8 | H | 1 p.m. | Maryland | 125 | 18-31 (3-19 Big Ten) | – | 16th in Big Ten. |
| Wednesday | Feb. 11 | H | 6 p.m. | Missouri | 34 | 25-31 (6-19 SEC) | Won, 6-5 (8 innings) | 15th in SEC. |
| Friday | Feb. 13 | N | 10 a.m. | Northwestern | 48 | 30-20-1 (16-7 Big Ten) | – | Eliminated in Clemson Regional. T-4th in Big Ten. |
| Friday | Feb. 13 | N | 1 p.m. | Georgia | 23 | 35-23 (8-17 SEC) | Lost, 4-0 | Eliminated in Gainesville Super Regional by (3) Florida. 12th in SEC. |
| Saturday | Feb. 14 | N | 10 a.m. | LSU | 11 | 42-16 (13-13 SEC) | – | Eliminated in Baton Rouge Regional. T-9th in SEC. |
| Saturday | Feb. 14 | N | 1:30 p.m. | Nebraska | 24 | 43-15 (18-8 Big Ten) | – | Eliminated in Knoxville Super Regional by (7) Tennessee. T-2nd in Big Ten. |
| Sunday | Feb. 15 | N | 12 p.m. | NC State | 76 | 25-29 (6-18 ACC) | Won, 3-1 | 14th in ACC. |
| Thursday | Feb. 19 | H | 6 p.m. | Ohio | 100 | 37-19 (20-10 MAC) | – | 2nd in MAC. |
| Friday | Feb. 20 | H | 4:30 p.m. | Ohio | 100 | 37-19 (20-10 MAC) | – | 2nd in MAC. |
| Friday | Feb. 20 | H | 7 p.m. | Penn State | 87 | 25-27 (11-13 Big Ten) | – | 11th in Big Ten. |
| Saturday | Feb. 21 | H | 5 p.m. | Notre Dame | 97 | 23-31-1 (7-18 ACC) | – | 11th in ACC. |
| Sunday | Feb. 22 | H | 11 a.m. | Notre Dame | 97 | 23-31-1 (7-18 ACC) | – | 11th in ACC. |
| Sunday | Feb. 22 | H | 1 p.m. | Charleston Southern | 197 | 20-29 (9-11 Big South) | – | 5th in Big South. |
| Wednesday | Feb. 25 | H | 5 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | 31 | 45-12 (23-5 American) | Won, 3-0 | Eliminated in Gainesville Regional. American Conference RS Champion |
| Thursday | Feb. 26 | H | 6 p.m. | Dartmouth | 190 | 17-21 (10-11 Ivy League) | – | 5th in Ivy League. |
| Friday | Feb. 27 | H | 6 p.m. | Wagner | 269 | 15-26 (10-11 NEC) | – | 5th in NEC. |
| Saturday | Feb. 28 | H | 4:30 p.m. | Datmouth | 190 | 17-21 (10-11 Ivy League) | – | 5th in Ivy League. |
| Saturday | Feb. 28 | H | 7 p.m. | George Washington | 189 | 33-21 (16-12 A10) | – | 4th in Atlantic 10. |
| Sunday | Mar. 1 | H | 1 p.m. | Florida A&M | 166 | 28-20 (19-5 SWAC) | – | SWAC East Division Champion. |
| Friday | Mar. 6 | A | 7 p.m. | Oklahoma State | 21 | 35-20 (13-9 Big 12) | Lost, 7-0 | Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional Final by (4) Arkansas. 4th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Mar. 7 | A | 3 p.m. | Oklahoma State | 21 | 35-20 (13-9 Big 12) | Won, 12-6 | Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional Final by (4) Arkansas. 4th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Mar. 8 | A | 12 p.m. | Oklahoma State | 21 | 35-20 (13-9 Big 12) | Lost, 4-3 | Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional Final by (4) Arkansas. 4th in Big 12. |
| Friday | Mar. 13 | H | 6 p.m. | Baylor | 54 | 27-27 (11-13 Big 12) | Lost, 1-0 | 8th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Mar. 14 | H | 4 p.m. | Baylor | 54 | 27-27 (11-13 Big 12) | Lost, 3-2 | 8th in Big 12. |
| Sunday | Mar. 15 | H | 12 p.m. | Baylor | 54 | 27-27 (11-13 Big 12) | Won, 7-2 | 8th in Big 12. |
| Wednesday | Mar. 18 | A | 2 p.m. | Florida International | 88 | 29-22-1 (11-15-1 CUSA) | 8th in Conference USA. | |
| Friday | Mar. 20 | H | 6 p.m. | Texas Tech | 9 | 54-14 (20-4 Big 12) | – | Women’s College World Series Runner-Up. Big 12 RS and Tournament Champion. |
| Saturday | Mar. 21 | H | 5 p.m. | Texas Tech | 9 | 54-14 (20-4 Big 12) | – | Women’s College World Series Runner-Up. Big 12 RS and Tournament Champion. |
| Sunday | Mar. 22 | H | 12 p.m. | Texas Tech | 9 | 54-14 (20-4 Big 12) | – | Women’s College World Series Runner-Up. Big 12 RS and Tournament Champion. |
| Wednesday | Mar. 25 | H | 5 p.m. | Florida Gulf Coast | 114 | 29-30 (16-12 ASUN) | Won Twice, 2-1 and 4-2 | 3rd in ASUN Graphite Division. |
| Friday | Mar. 27 | A | TBA | Houston | 85 | 22-25 (4-18 Big 12) | Won, 4-2 | 11th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Mar. 28 | A | TBA | Houston | 85 | 22-25 (4-18 Big 12) | Lost, 10-4 | 11th in Big 12. |
| Sunday | Mar. 29 | A | TBA | Houston | 85 | 22-25 (4-18 Big 12) | Won, 10-2 | 11th in Big 12. |
| Thursday | Apr. 2 | H | 6 p.m. | Utah | 136 | 13-40 (5-19 Big 12) | Won, 7-5 (Tourny) | 10th in Big 12. |
| Friday | Apr. 3 | H | 6 p.m. | Utah | 136 | 13-40 (5-19 Big 12) | Won, 7-5 (Tourny) | 10th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Apr. 4 | H | 12 p.m. | Utah | 136 | 13-40 (5-19 Big 12) | Won, 7-5 (Tourny) | 10th in Big 12. |
| Friday | Apr. 10 | A | 9 p.m. | Arizona State | 37 | 35-21 (14-10 Big 12) | Lost, 3-0 | Eliminated in Los Angeles Regional. 5th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Apr. 11 | A | 7 p.m. | Arizona State | 37 | 35-21 (14-10 Big 12) | Won, 11-0 | Eliminated in Los Angeles Regional. 5th in Big 12. |
| Sunday | Apr. 12 | A | 3 p.m. | Arizona State | 37 | 35-21 (14-10 Big 12) | Lost, 7-4 | Eliminated in Los Angeles Regional. 5th in Big 12. |
| Wednesday | Apr. 15 | H | 6 p.m. | Stetson | 65 | 33-28 (17-12 ASUN) | Won, 14-13 | 2nd in ASUN Graphite Division. |
| Thursday | Apr. 17 | H | 6 p.m. | Kansas | 80 | 22-28 (6-18 Big 12) | Won, 7-0 | 9th in Big 12. |
| Friday | Apr. 18 | H | 5 p.m. | Kansas | 80 | 22-28 (6-18 Big 12) | Won, 5-4 | 9th in Big 12. |
| Saturday | Apr. 19 | H | 11 a.m. | Kansas | 80 | 22-28 (6-18 Big 12) | Won, 8-6 | 9th in Big 12. |
| Wednesday | Apr. 22 | H | 6 p.m. | North Florida | 36 | 47-15 (25-2 ASUN) | Won, 6-0 | Eliminated in Columbia Regional Final by (8) South Carolina. ASUN Graphite Division & Tournament Champion. |
| Friday | Apr. 24 | A | 6 p.m. | Florida | 3 | 48-17 (14-10 SEC) | Lost, 3-0 | Eliminated in First Round of Women’s College World Series. T-5th in SEC. |
| Saturday | Apr. 25 | H | 6 p.m. | Florida | 3 | 48-17 (14-10 SEC) | Won, 4-0 | Eliminated in First Round of Women’s College World Series. T-5th in SEC. |
| Friday | May 1 | A | 5 p.m. | Iowa State | 69 | 31-23 (15-9 Big 12) | Lost, 2-0 | 3rd in Big 12. |
| Saturday | May 2 | A | 2 p.m. | Iowa State | 69 | 31-23 (15-9 Big 12) | L:ost, 3-2 | 3rd in Big 12. |
| Sunday | May 3 | A | 12 p.m. | Iowa State | 69 | 31-23 (15-9 Big 12) | Lost, 1-0 | 3rd in Big 12. |
Dates: May 7-9
Location: OGE Energy Field at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Did You Know…
UCF has two players on the roster whose parents won national championships.
- Redshirt junior utility player Macy Miles is the daughter of former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles, who led the Tigers to the national title in 2007.
- Junior Sierra Humphreys’ is the daughter of Arizona softball player Krista Gomez (Humphreys), who was a part of three Wildcat WCWS Championship teams from 1993-1996.
Junior Samantha Rey’s sister, Victoria Rey, is entering her senior year playing for Weber State in 2026.
