ORLANDO. Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The outfield will be a position of strength this season, as the team returns senior Megan Greenwell and sophomore Kyra Klarkowski. The coaching staff will also look for freshmen Denali Schappacher and Hayley Bejarano to compete with sophomore Ali Little for the final spot in the green grass.
Despite graduating a pair of all-conference outfielders from last year's team, coaches believe this position group has a lot of leadership capabilities.
"Megan Greenwell stepped up as leader in centerfield last year and did a great job for us," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "We're looking at her in that starting position again this year. She's going to be one of our key role players this year."
Greenwell returns after a remarkable junior season that saw her tear into pitchers across the country. Her ability to steal bases landed her at fifth on the Knights' single season record list. Her 29 steals were good for third in the conference, and made more impressive by the fact she was only caught stealing once.
"We have a great strength and conditioning coach, Joe Howard," Greenwell said. "This year, he has really helped our team become faster and stronger. I can't wait to see what we do with it this season."
Joining Greenwell in the outfield is Klarkowski, whose a stellar freshman season earned her a unanimous all-conference first team selection, in addition to a spot on the league's all-rookie team. She will look to be a cornerstone in the outfield after returning as the only starter on the Knights' roster to post a spotless 1.000 fielding percentage. She posted a .381 batting average against league opponents, which ranked seventh in the conference.
Boasting superb fielding numbers and a prowess for hitting the ball, it is Klarkowski's ability to come up in big moments that has landed her in such high regards with her teammates.
In the 2017 series finale vs USF, she was put to the test in the biggest of moments.
After a long-fought game, she took the plate with a runner on and came through with a walk-off single to give the Knights the series win in a War on I-4 contest. Nearly a year later, the energy from that hit still runs through the building, and her teammates are eager to mention it as the highlight of last year's season.
The Knights open the 2018 campaign on Feb. 9 at the Friends of Jaclyn Invitational. UCF plays Louisville and Butler on Friday in Longwood, Fla.