Felton Earns Second Big 12 Pitcher of the Week HonorFelton Earns Second Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Honor

Felton Earns Second Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Honor

by Ryan Ladika

ORLANDO – For the second time this spring, senior Kaitlyn Felton has been recognized league-wide for another dominant week in the circle.

As announced by the Big 12 Conference Tuesday afternoon, the right-hander has earned her second Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week honor through the 2025 season’s first five weeks for her efforts throughout the No. 25 UCF softball team’s three-game weekend series against the fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats.

Felton was a key contributor in leading the Knights to the highest-ranked series win in program history, allowing just a single unearned run on three hits in five innings pitched, while also securing her third save and conference-leading ninth win of the campaign.

In addition to earning her second Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honor and third conference Pitcher of the Week award of her career, Felton also becomes the first player in the league this season to earn multiple Big 12 weekly honors.

“It has been quite the ride. I’m just so glad to see how we came out this weekend, especially how we finished last weekend. It shows the resilience of this team. These girls brought out a love for the game that I didn’t know I had, and they make me want to be out here and be my best.”

Felton on her team's series win over No. 4 Arizona

She clinched her career-high third save of the season in locking down UCF’s 9-3 series-opening win Friday night, yielding just one walk in 1.2 scoreless innings while the Knights broke the game open in the top of the seventh with five runs scored.

Head coach Cindy Ball-Malone again called Felton’s number in game two, entering in relief in the fourth inning with the score tied at three.

As Ashleigh Griffin gave the Black and Gold a two-run advantage in the top of the fifth frame with her second homer of the weekend, Felton ensured the lead would stand the remainder of the contest.

She surrendered just one unearned run on three hits in 3.1 innings of work to push her record to a perfect 9-0 this spring, just two wins shy of tying her previous single-season best of 11 in 2024.

Felton did it against an Arizona offense that entered the series leading the Big 12 in team batting average (.397), doubles (38), total hits (252), home runs (33), on-base percentage (.473), RBI (182), runs per game (8.87), slugging percentage (.638), total runs scored (204) and triples (8).

The Knights’ veteran arm now enters UCF’s Wednesday midweek clash with No. 3 Florida ranking among individual Big 12 leaders in ERA (0.53, 1st), shutouts (3, 1st), wins (9, T-1st), WHIP (0.84, 2nd), saves (3, 2nd), complete games (4, T-2nd), fewest hits allowed per seven innings (4.59, 4th), innings pitched (53.1, 7th), and fewest walks allowed per seven innings (1.31, 7th). She has also not allowed an earned run in her last 32 innings pitched dating back to UCF’s 4-4 tie with Ohio State in Clearwater Feb. 16.

UP NEXT

Felton and the No. 25 UCF softball team are set for a top 25 Wednesday road matchup against the No. 3 Florida Gators to conclude their four-game road swing. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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