UCF’s softball team is expected to do big things this season with a roster full of players from last year’s breakthrough team in the NCAA Softball Tournament. The Knights are expecting big things from this season.
And so is everyone else.
UCF picked up all but three first place votes in the American Conference preseason poll, getting picked to win the conference for the second straight year. The Knights have won back-to-back American Conference championships and are seeking a third straight title this year.
“We are honored to be voted the preseason favorites in the conference,” head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said in a press release. “The league is so competitive from top to bottom, so we know that every game presents a challenge during the conference season. We’re working hard to get better every day and just focusing on ourselves.”
UCF swept through the American Conference last year with a 16-2 record, winning its first regular season and tournament titles. The team finished 50-9 overall.
The Knights return 2015 American Pitcher of the Year Shelby Turnier and Player of the Year Jessica Ujvari along with Samantha McCloskey and Kalyn Cenal. This is a team with major tournament expectations, possibly even hosting a NCAA tournament regional site.
This is a very good team returning most of its star players. Expectations are high.
And the schedule matches. On the home schedule for UCF includes national powers Alabama, Notre Dame, Florida State and Florida. UCF will also play Arizona and Baylor in road games. It is a difficult schedule the Knights should be up for.
The season starts Feb. 11 at home against Liberty.
