ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF Softball has signed six talented recruits to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, as announced by head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie.
The Knights will add a pitcher, a trio of infielders and a pair of outfielders to the roster for 2018.
"We are very excited about the 2017 recruiting class," Gillispie said. "They are very strong student-athletes that will be successful both on and off the field. We feel confident that they can continue the tradition of the program for years to come."
| 2016 UCF Softball Signing Class |
| Name | Pos. | Cl. | Hometown / H.S. |
| Ally Muraskin | RHP | Fr. | Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Coral Springs Charter) |
| Kaylee Misti | INF | Fr. | Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch) |
| Kendyl Lange | INF | Fr. | Hallettsville, Texas (Hallettsville) |
| Kaitlyn Jensen | INF | Fr. | Melbourne, Fla. (Viera) |
| Hayley Bejarano | OF | Fr. | Surprise, Ariz. (Shadow Ridge) |
| Denali Schappacher | OF | Fr. | Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch) |
Last season, the Black and Gold made their third consecutive NCAA Regional for the first time in program history. The third seed in the Gainesville bracket, UCF, knocked off second-seeded FAU twice to advance to its third straight regional final. The Knights have completed their fall season and will begin preparations for the 2017 campaign in January.
| Hayley Bejarano |
| 1B/OF | 5-9 | Fr. | Surprise, Ariz. (Shadow Ridge) |
Prior to UCF: - Served as team captain since freshman season at Shadow Ridge High School, coached by Vick Bejarano
- 2016 All-Conference First Team
- 2016 All-West Valley Preps First-Team Athlete of the Year
- 2016 Female Athlete of the Year at SRHS
- Two-time All-Conference Second Team (2014-15)
- Compiled a .432 batting average with 27 RBI on 10 doubles, two triples and four homers during junior campaign
- Tallied a .554 batting average with 34 RBI, 14 doubles, four triples and five homers as a sophomore
- Hit at a .415 clip as a freshman with 10 doubles, four triples and two home runs
- Played for the Firecracker travel team, coached by Randy Kaye
- Member of National Honor Society, Student Body (vice president) FCA (secretary), SRO Challenge
"Hayley comes from a strong athletic background with her dad playing baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays system and her mother playing softball for New Mexico State. She brings a lot of versatility and is a true student of the game."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
| Kaitlyn Jensen |
| 3B/1B | 5-11 | Fr. | Melbourne, Fla. (Viera) |
Prior to UCF: - Three-year letterwinner at Viera High School coached by Dale Pierce
- 2016 Class 7A Defensive Player of the Year
- 2016 Florida Today Softball Player of the Year
- 2016 Bright House Sports Network Softball Player of the Year
- Two-time All-Space Coast First Team selection (2015-16)
- Set Brevard County home run record with 17 as a junior
- Served as softball (two years) and volleyball (one year) as team captain
- Broke home run season record for Brevard County, with 17 as a junior
- First athlete in Viera High School history to play four varsity sports in the same year (softball, track and field, volleyball and basketball)
- Records held a VHS - softball (home runs) and track (shot put, discuss)
- Captured District Title in shot put and discuss and placed fifth and sixth, respectively, at the state meet
- Aided the Florida Storm coached by Jerry Shepherd to a ninth place finish at the 2015 ASA 18u Gold Nationals
- Member of Beta Club and National Honor Society
" Kaitlyn is a versatile, power right-handed batter. She has played on multiple championship teams, including Stealers '97 and Viera High School's District Championship team."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
| Kendyl Lange |
| 2B | 5-5 | Fr. | Hallettsville, Texas. (Halletsville) |
Prior to UCF: - Aided Halletsville High School to a runner-up finish at the State Championship as a sophomore
- Two-time Texas Sports Writers Association All-State Team (2015-16)
- 2016 All-District 28-3A First Team
- 2015 All-State Tournament Team
- 2015 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Team
- 2015 Victoria Advocate All-Area and District 28-3A Defensive Player of the Year
- 2014 District 28-3A Newcomer of the Year
- Three-time All-District 28-3A Academic Team (2014-16)
- Earned Defensive Team MVP (2016) and Offensive Team MVP (2016)
- Enters senior campaign with a .523 batting average and .930 fielding pct.
- Also competed three years with the track team, setting the school record in the 400M dash and capturing the District Title as a junior
- Plays for the Texas Blaze South Bonola 18u that captured the 2016 TC/USA National Championship and finished ninth at the 2016 PGF Nationals Premier
- Member of National Honor Society (president), SGA (vice president), Rotary Interactive Club (secretary), Student Council and FCA
"Kendyl is speedy with a great short game and is a tremendous defensive infielder. She comes from top-tier Texas programs in both high school and travel ball."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
| Kaylee Misiti |
| 3B | 5-5 | Fr. | Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch) |
Prior to UCF: - Played for the Tampa Mustangs coached by TJ Goeltz
- Helped the Tampa Mustangs capture the 2016 PGF National Championship by defeating the same team in consecutive games
- Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity
- Played with signee Denali Schappacher with the Tampa Mustangs
"Kaylee shows a lot of experience winning a PGF National Championship. She also brings an offensive threat to our lineup."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
| Ally Muraskin |
| P | 5-10 | Fr. | Deerfield Beach, Fla. (Coral Springs Charter) |
Prior to UCF: - Aided Coral Spring Charter, coached by Mark Montimurro, to back-to-back FHSAA State Championships
- Two-time Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald Player of the Year (2015-16)
- Two-time Dairy Farmer Pitcher of the Year (2015-16)
- Three-time Miami Herald All-County First Team (2014-16)
- 2016 Miracle Softball All-State Player of the Year
- Tallied 549 strikeouts and 49 victories as a junior
- Pitched for the Lady Gators coached by Randy Jackson and the Florida Power Black coach by Kerry Kaser
"Ally brings a championship mindset, pitching her team to three state championships. Her enthusiasm and love for the game will make her a fan favorite."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
| Denali Schappacher |
| OF | 5-6 | Fr. | Bradenton, Fla. (Lakewood Ranch) |
Prior to UCF: - Two-time All-Area honoree at Lakewood Ranch High School coached by Maggie Feix
- Two-time All-State and All-Area
- 2016 team MVP award
- Led the team in runs scored, steals, base hits, batting average and on-base percentage as a junior
- Member of the Tampa Mustangs, which won the 2015 PGF National Championship and finished runner-up the previous season, coached by TJ Goeltz
- Played with signee Kaylee Misiti with the Tampa Mustangs
"Denali is speedy with great range in the outfield. She rejoins former teammate Kyra Klarkowski in the outfield and signee Kaylee Misiti on the team. She was one of only three players to get a hit in the PGF National Championship."
-Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie |
