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Everything You Need To Know About the 2023 UCF Softball Team

With a new-look pitching staff, the Knights follow up their first NCAA Super Regional in program history

Noah Goldberg

The UCF Knights Softball team begins its 22nd season this week, as they host a tournament against No. 12 Georgia, Boise State, Ohio State, and Massachusetts.

After a historic 2022 that saw the program reach its first NCAA Super Regional in history, players like Jada Cody and walk-off queen Shannon Doherty are back for the sequel.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Knights for 2023.


Last Season

49-14 (16-2 AAC), Won The American Championship and NCAA Orlando Regional, Lost NCAA Super Regional series to #1 Oklahoma

The Knights are coming off the greatest season in program history, hosting and winning the program’s first-ever regional, and making it to the Super Regionals where they lost to eventual national champion and #1 overall seed Oklahoma.

Their 49 wins was tied for the second-most in program history with the 2008 team, one behind the all-time record of 50 set back in 2015.


This Season

Picked 1st in The American’s preseason coaches poll

The Knights are the favorites to win a 4th regular season title (2014. 2015, 2022) in their final year in the American Athletic Conference. The team will likely also be ranked in the Top 20 in several different national polls.


Who’s in Charge

Cindy Ball-Malone

Cindy Ball-Malone enters her fifth season at UCF with an overall record of 145-59-2. She’s taken the Knights to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022 and was awarded the Extra Innings National Coach of the Year award.

Cindy Ball-Malone’s UCF Career

Year Overall Conference AAC Tournament NCAA Tournament
Year Overall Conference AAC Tournament NCAA Tournament
2019 34-21 11-10 Lost in AAC Quarterfinal to Wichita State Not selected
2020 21-5-1 0-0 Canceled (COVID) Canceled (COVID)
2021 41-19-1 19-6-1 Lost in AAC Championship Game to Wichita State Eliminated in Tallahassee Regional
2022 49-14 16-2 Won AAC Championship Lost to Oklahoma in Super Regional
Total 145-59-2 46-18-1 1 Regular Season Title, 1 Tournament Title 2 Appearances

Watch Eric Lopez preview the team with Coach Ball-Malone below:


What to Watch for

Turnover in the Circle

The biggest question going into 2023 is the pitching staff, which loses the 1-2 combo of Gianna Mancha and Kama Woodall, who combined for 41 of the Knights’ 49 wins in 2022.

UCF returns a trio of pitchers, Kaitlyn Felton, Grace Jewell, and Angelina DeVoe. Joining them are freshmen Katelyn Cochran, Macy Miles, and Madison Applebee. The Knights also added two-way player Sarah Willis from Washington via the transfer portal. How Ball-Malone and her staff develop these young arms will determine how far the Knights can go.


Players to Watch

3B/C Jada Cody

Cody led the Knights with 15 home runs and a school-record 75 RBI, breaking Stephanie Best’s program mark of 66 RBI set in 2003. Cody was named a D1 Softball First Team All-American and a Softball America Second Team All-American. She joins Shelby Turnier (2015) as the only two UCF Softball players to get All-American honors.

Cody also became the first Knight to play for the USA Softball National team in the fall of 2022

1B Shannon Doherty

Doherty was second on the team with seven homers and 36 RBI. However, her 2022 season will be remembered in part thanks to her three walk-off hits:

Cody and Doherty are the captains of the team. Since they arrived in 2020, the Knights have won 74% of their games (111-38-2) during this span.


Who’s New That’s Good

OF Chloe Evans and P/OF Sarah Willis

Evans comes to UCF from Minnesota where she hit 11 homers and drove in 46 runs last season, earning All-Big Ten honors.

Willis comes from Washington and will be a two-way player for the Knights. She is a former top 10 national recruit.

Both figure to replace Denali Schappacher in right field.

SS Jasmine Williams

Williams comes to UCF from Oregon, where was a former All-Pac-12 selection. She will be the starter at shortstop, which moves Michaela Macario to her natural position of 2nd base to take over from graduated senior Justene Molina. Williams played for Ball-Malone when she was on the 2019 Under-19 US National Team.

UCF’s Freshman class was ranked as the 25th-best, according to Extra Innings.


Who We’ll Miss

Denali Schappacher

In her final season with the Knights, Schappacher hit the second-highest batting average on the team at .318. This helped her get named to the All-AAC First Team.

Schappacher can still be found on campus though. She now serves as a Staff Athletic Trainer for the Track and Field and Cross Country team.


Roster Breakdown

  • 2 Seniors
  • 9 Juniors
  • 7 Sophomores
  • 7 Freshmen
  • 11 Floridians (1 Central Floridian)
  • 1 International Player (Canada)

2023 UCF Softball Roster

No. Name Pos Year Hometown 2022 School 2022 Stats
No. Name Pos Year Hometown 2022 School 2022 Stats
1 Jasmine Williams INF R-Sr. Mission Viejo, Calif. Oregon Played in 40 games (Started 32 games), .233 BA
2 Nehanda Lewis INF Fr. Land O' Lakes, Fla. Land O'Lakes HS N/A
3 Aubrey Evans INF Fr. Apopka, Fla. Apopka HS N/A
4 Katelyn Cochran RHP Fr. North Augusta, S.C. North Augusta HS N/A
5 Micaela Macario INF So. Chula Vista, Calif. UCF Started 61 Games, .286 BA, 19 SBs
6 Angelina DeVoe LHP Jr. Carson, Calif. UCF Played in 12 games, 2.39 ERA
7 Johneisha Rowe OF Jr. Avon Park, Fla. UCF Started 61 games, .297 BA, 23 SBs
9 Emmerson Lee INF R-So. Clovis, Calif. UCF Played in 30 games (Started 5)
11 Macy Miles P/UTL Fr. Naples, Fla. Naples HS N/A
12 Chloe Evans OF Jr. Seymour, Wis. Minnesota Started 54 games, .318 BA, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs
15 Shelli DiPuma UTL Fr. Sarasota, Fla. Riverview HS N/A
16 Olivia Elliott OF Fr. Tampa, Fla. Cambridge Christian HS N/A
17 Jada Cody UTL Jr. Murrieta, Calif. UCF Started 63 games, .361 BA, 15 HRs, 75 RBIs
18 Kaitlyn Felton RHP So. Valrico, Fla. UCF Played in 17 games (Started 9), 3.36 ERA
20 Katie Burge UTL Jr. Miami, Fla. UCF Played in 41 games (Started 8), .219 BA
22 Kennedy Searcy UTL Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. UCF Started 62 games, .311 BA, 31 RBIs
23 Allyse Volpe OF Sr. Scarborough, Ontario UCF Played in 36 games (Started 26), .329 BA
24 Savannah Adams 1B So. La Mirada, Calif. UCF Played in 37 games (Started 13), .224 BA
27 Ashleigh Griffin C/INF So. Newnan, Ga. UCF Played in 56 games (started 53), .281 BA.
28 Madison Applebe RHP Fr. La Porte, Texas Deer Park HS N/A
33 Averi Wong OF So. Arcadia, Calif. UCF Played in 8 Games
35 Carson Frier C/INF So. Live Oak, Fla. UCF Played in 14 games (Started 3)
46 Shannon Doherty 1B Jr. Coral Springs, Fla. UCF Started 63 Games, .308 BA. 7 HRs, 17 HBP
55 Grace Jewell RHP Jr. Chesapeake, Va. UCF Played in 13 games (Started 7)
66 Sarah Willis P/OF Jr. Ontario, Calif. Washington Pitched in 11 games (Started 2), Hit in 31 games (Started 17), .255 BA

Schedule Breakdown

2023 UCF Softball Schedule

Day Date H/A Time Opponent Preseason Rank UCF's Results LY 2022 record Last Season
Day Date H/A Time Opponent Preseason Rank UCF's Results LY 2022 record Last Season
Thursday Feb. 9 Home 6 p.m. Georgia 15 Won, 7-6 (8 inn.) 43-18 Eliminated in Durham Regional
Friday Feb. 10 Home 4 p.m. UMass - N/A 19-32 7th in Atlantic 10
Friday Feb. 10 Home 6:30 p.m. Boise State - N/A 40-10 2nd in Mountain West
Saturday Feb. 11 Home 5 p.m. Ohio State - Won, 11-3 (6 inn.) 36-17 Eliminated in Knoxville Regional
Wednesday Feb. 15 Home 6 p.m. Missouri RV N/A 38-22 Eliminated in Columbia Regional
Friday Feb. 17 Neutral 3 p.m. Michigan RV Lost, 6-0, in Clearwater 38-18 Eliminated in Orlando Regional
Friday Feb. 17 Neutral 7 p.m. Texas A&M - N/A 31-28 Eliminated in Norman Regional
Saturday Feb. 18 Neutral 10 a.m. Duke 16 N/A 44-11 Lost in Super Regional to UCLA
Saturday Feb. 18 Neutral 2:30 p.m. Alabama 9 N/A 44-13 Eliminated in Tuscaloosa Regional
Sunday Feb. 19 Neutral 8 p.m. Mississippi State 23 N/A 37-27 11th in SEC
Tuesday Feb. 21 Home 6 p.m. Louisiana RV N/A 47-13 Eliminated in Clemson Regional
Wednesday Feb. 22 Away 6 p.m. Stetson - N/A 21-35 4th in ASUN East
Thursday Feb. 23 Home 3 p.m. Gardner-Webb - N/A 15-29 8th in Big South
Thursday Feb. 23 Home 5:30 p.m. Gardner-Webb - N/A 15-29 8th in Big South
Friday Feb. 24 Home 7 p.m. Louisville - N/A 27-25 8th in ACC
Saturday Feb. 25 Home 7 p.m. Purdue N/A 24-31 11th in Big Ten
Sunday Feb. 26 Home 1 p.m. Louisville - N/A 27-25 8th in ACC
Thursday Mar. 2 Neutral 3:30 p.m. Fresno State Won twice (6-1, 9-2) 19-36 5th in Mountain West
Thursday Mar. 2 Neutral 6 p.m. Michigan RV Won in Super Regional (3-2, 9-4) 38-18 Eliminated in Orlando Regional
Friday Mar. 3 Neutral 5:30 p.m. UCLA 2 N/A 51-10 Eliminated at Women's College World Series
Friday Mar. 3 Neutral 11 p.m. Loyola Marymount RV N/A 37-17 Eliminated in Tempe Regional
Saturday Mar. 4 Away 10:30 p.m. Cal State Fullerton RV Won, 11-2 (6 inn.) 37-22 Eliminated in Tempe Regional
Wednesday Mar. 8 Away 6 p.m. Florida 4 Loss, 12-11 49-19 Eliminated at Women's College World Series
Friday Mar. 10 Home 5:30 p.m. Toledo - N/A 12-37 11th in MAC
Saturday Mar. 11 Home 3 p.m. Toledo - N/A 12-37 11th in MAC
Saturday Mar. 11 Home 5:30 p.m. Kennesaw State - N/A 23-28 3rd in ASUN East
Sunday Mar. 12 Home 9 a.m. North Dakota - N/A 14-39 7th in Summit League
Sunday Mar. 12 Home 1 p.m. Kennesaw State - N/A 23-28 3rd in ASUN East
Tuesday Mar. 14 Home 4 p.m. Rutgers - N/A 25-30 13th in Big Ten
Tuesday Mar. 14 Home 6:30 p.m. Rutgers - N/A 25-30 13th in Big Ten
Friday Mar. 17 Neutral 2 p.m. Arizona State 23 N/A 43-11 Lost to Northwestern in Super Regional
Friday Mar. 17 Away 4:30 p.m. Oklahoma State 3 N/A 48-14 Eliminated at Women's College World Series
Saturday Mar. 18 Neutral 1 p.m. Arizona State 23 N/A 43-11 Lost to Northwestern in Super Regional
Saturday Mar. 18 Away 6 p.m. Oklahoma State 3 N/A 48-14 Eliminated at Women's College World Series
Sunday Mar. 19 Away 1:30 p.m. Oklahoma State 3 N/A 48-14 Eliminated at Women's College World Series
Friday Mar. 24 Home 6 p.m. Wichita State RV 2-1 Series (4-11, 3-1, 9-5) 34-18 Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional
Saturday Mar. 25 Home 4 p.m. Wichita State RV 2-1 Series (4-11, 3-1, 9-5) 34-18 Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional
Sunday Mar. 26 Home 11 a.m. Wichita State RV 2-1 Series (4-11, 3-1, 9-5) 34-18 Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional
Wednesday Mar. 29 Home 6 p.m. North Florida - Won, 2-1 42-17 2nd in ASUN East
Friday Mar. 31 Away 5 p.m. East Carolina - 3-0 Sweep (8-0, 1-0, 6-1) 20-36 6th in AAC
Saturday Apr. 1 Away 2 p.m. East Carolina - 3-0 Sweep (8-0, 1-0, 6-1) 20-36 6th in AAC
Sunday Apr. 2 Away 12 p.m. East Carolina - 3-0 Sweep (8-0, 1-0, 6-1) 20-36 6th in AAC
Wednesday Apr. 5 Away 5 p.m. Florida Gulf Coast - 3-0 Sweep (9-2, 11-2, 10-2) 18-33 5th in ASUN East
Tuesday Apr. 11 Home 3 p.m. Florida International - Win, 11-0 (5 inn.) 19-31 6th in C-USA East
Friday Apr. 14 Away 6 p.m. Tulsa - 3-0 Sweep (2-0, 2-1, 8-0) 18-30 4th in AAC
Saturday Apr. 15 Away 3 p.m. Tulsa - 3-0 Sweep (2-0, 2-1, 8-0) 18-30 4th in AAC
Sunday Apr. 16 Away 1 p.m. Tulsa - 3-0 Sweep (2-0, 2-1, 8-0) 18-30 4th in AAC
Friday Apr. 21 Home 6 p.m. South Florida - 3-0 Sweep (5-2, 7-2, 3-0) 45-16 Eliminated in Tallahassee Regional
Saturday Apr. 22 Home 4 p.m. South Florida - 3-0 Sweep (5-2, 7-2, 3-0) 45-16 Eliminated in Tallahassee Regional
Sunday Apr. 23 Home 12 p.m. South Florida - 3-0 Sweep (5-2, 7-2, 3-0) 45-16 Eliminated in Tallahassee Regional
Friday Apr. 28 Home 6 p.m. Houston - 2-1 Series (4-1, 5-1, 8-9) 27-27 4th in AAC
Saturday Apr. 29 Home 4 p.m. Houston - 2-1 Series (4-1, 5-1, 8-9) 27-27 4th in AAC
Sunday Apr. 30 Home 12 p.m. Houston - 2-1 Series (4-1, 5-1, 8-9) 27-27 4th in AAC
Friday May 5 Away 7 p.m. Memphis - 3-0 Sweep (4-0, 6-0, 8-0) 16-38 7th in AAC
Saturday May 6 Away 3 p.m. Memphis - 3-0 Sweep (4-0, 6-0, 8-0) 16-38 7th in AAC
Sunday May 7 Away 1 p.m. Memphis - 3-0 Sweep (4-0, 6-0, 8-0) 16-38 7th in AAC

AAC Tournament

Dates: May 11-13, 2023

Location: Tampa, FL

The Knights will open AAC play against Wichita State March 24-26 in a match-up of the last two AAC Champions. UCF will host USF on April 21-23 for one last series of the War on I-4 as conference mates.


Did You Know...

UCF has two players on the roster whose fathers won a college football national title.

Freshman pitcher Macy Miles is the daughter of former LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles, who led the Tigers to the national title in 2007.

Sophomore catcher Carson Frier’s father, Todd, was on the Florida State Seminoles’ 1999 national championship team. Frier’s uncle, Matt Frier, was on Noles’ 1993 national title team.


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