The 2018 UCF baseball season opens on Feb. 16 at John Euliano Park against Virginia, and now is the time to get your first look at the Knights. UCFKnights.com will preview each position group over the next two weeks to show who will be wearing the Black and Gold this year.
THE OUTFIELD
Entering his second year at UCF, head coach Greg Lovelady will face the task of replacing his entire outfield. Max Wood is the lone returner with outfield experience from the American Athletic Conference Regular Season Champion team from last season.
The coaching staff went to its signing class in order to replenish the ranks. Assistant coaches Justin Parker and Ryan Klosterman loaded their 16th ranked recruiting class, per Collegiate Baseball, with a talented outfield group.
Ray Alejo, who originally came in as an infielder, made the jump to outfield during the fall.
Junior college national champions at Chipola, Tyler Osik and Brody Wofford have excelled during the offseason. Osik is the son of former Major Leaguer Keith Osik and was drafted in the 40th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, while Wofford went in the 14th round last year.
Freshman Dalton Wingo, the lone rookie of the group, was placed No. 461 on the Baseball America BA500 which ranks the top 500 MLB Draft prospects.
The UCF outfield will also feature an international flavor. Wood, the resident Canadian on the squad, was joined by fellow countryman Chandler Robertson. The latter wrapped up a two-year stint at Murray State before arriving in Orlando.
The Knights will open up the 2018 season next Friday at John Euliano Park with a three-game tournament against Virginia, Rice and Samford.
THE UCF KNIGHTS ARE ON THE AIR"
The 2018 UCF baseball season will be heard on 96.9FM The Game/740AM. The Voice of the Knights Marc Daniels returns to bring you the action featuring the Black and Gold this season. Through UCF's partnership with iHeart Media, the Knights will be on the radio for 30 games this season. Click here to listen to UCF Baseball on iHeart Media. In addition to radio broadcasts, all home games will be streamed on UCFKnights.tv.
DON'T MISS THE ACTION
Season and single-game tickets for UCF Baseball are on sale. Featuring a 36-game home schedule, John Euliano Park is set to host some of the best collegiate baseball in the country. For more information on tickets call 407-823-1000 or log on to ticketmaster.com.
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