ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Six Knights competing for a spot in the outfield this year. On Sunday, UCFKnights.com breaks down the positions, highlighted by returners – seniors Linnea Goodman, Willow Kalinen and junior Megan Greenwell.
Sophomore Tiffany Lower, who made the transition from the infield to the outfield during the fall, is pushing the returners, along with talented freshmen Kyra Klarkowski and Ali Little.
Entering her senior campaign, Goodman has started 177 contests in left field and compiled a .316 batting average, ranking sixth in program history. She additionally ranks seventh in triples (5) and ninth in stolen bases (33).
"Linny is amazing with what she's brought to the table," assistant coach Corrie Hill said. "She does such a good job putting the ball in play. She's worked on her standing in and hitting as well."
The Long Beach, Calif., native is a stout defender and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage last year.
Another standout in the outfield has been Kalinen, who has appeared in 108 games for the Knights over the past two seasons. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native recorded a .273 average in 2016 with 18 runs scored and eight runs driven in, while swiping eight bases.
"Willow is an amazing defender," assistant coach Tiffany Jordan said. "As evident from last year, she was just lights out defensively. She still continues to pride herself on defense."
She compiled a .986 fielding percentage and recorded three outfield assists from right field, including the game-saving throw to the plate at USF in the bottom of the seventh in the decisive game of the series.
After appearing in 48 contests a season ago, primarily as a pinch runner, Greenwell looks to earn a starting slot in centerfield. She notched six hits as a reserve and registered a .429 average.
"I really like what Megan is bringing to the plate right now," Coach Hill said. "She has really stepped her game up. All of our slappers are developing their ability to stand in and hit as well. They are really becoming that true triple threat, which is huge."
Pushing Greenwell in center field has been Klarkowski. The Palmetto, Fla., native comes to UCF from Lakewood Ranch High School and earned All-Area and Team MVP honors following her junior campaign.
"Kyra is just naturally gifted," Coach Jordan said. "She has a strong arm and is able to make tough plays look easy."
The transition to the outfield for Lower has been smooth. She has been learning the nuisances to playing left field from Goodman.
"Tiffany has picked everything up really quickly," Coach Jordan said. "It was kind of a natural transition. Tiffany has a really, really good arm."
The Lake Worth, Fla., native played in 50 games last year, which included a pair of starts. She stole four bases and added a pair of hits for the Knights.
Little has practiced in right field, learning from Kalinen. The Hobe Sound, Fla., native was a three-time All-Area First Team recipient at South Fork High School.
"Ali is working on her contact," Coach Hill said. "She has some incredible power. She has to kind of catch up with the speed of the game."
The Knights are deep in the outfield and have six players capable of filling any of the three positions.
