ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – After a month of practicing for the 2018 campaign, UCF softball is ready to open the season this weekend in Longwood, Fla., hosting the Friends of Jaclyn Invitational at Soldier Creek Park. The Knight off the season Friday at 2:30 p.m. against Louisville.
Other than the Knights and the Cardinals, the three-day tournament will feature six additional programs, which includes Butler, Illinois, North Carolina, North Florida, Providence and South Alabama.
Following the Knights first game against UL, they will take on Butler at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, UCF faces Providence at 1:30 p.m. and Illinois at 6:30 p.m. The final game of the weekend will be against North Carolina at noon.
THE KNIGHTS
Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie enters her 17th season at the helm for one of the nation's youngest teams, featuring 13-of-18 underclassmen. Luckily for Gillispie, she returns six positional starters (Cassady Brewer, Jazmine Esparza, Megan Greenwell, Aubrey Johnson, Kyra Klarkowski and Courtney Rotton) and her ace (Alea White) from a team that went 29-23 last season.
Brewer and Klarkowski will be looked to lead the Knights after each earned first team All-American Athletic Conference accolades in 2017. UCF also expects a lot from Esparza, White and Rotton after all three grabbed second-team honors last spring.
The Knights welcome six freshmen this season who could contend to fill openings in both the infield and outfield. Kaitlyn Jensen is one to keep an eye on in the infield after a stellar high school campaign at Viera High School where she was tabbed the 2016 Florida Class 7A Defensive Player of the Year and earned a pair of Player of the Year honors from Florida Today and Bright House Sports Network. In the outfield, Hayley Bejarano and Denali Schappacher could snag some time along with sophomore Ali Little.
FRIENDS OF JACLYN
Since 2005, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers and to raise awareness through their Adopt-A-Child, Safe on the Sidelines and Guardian Angel Programs. They do this by pairing an afflicted child and their siblings with local high school and college sports teams, campus clubs, and arts programs in their community. You can find out more information about Friends of Jaclyn by visiting FriendsOfJaclyn.org.
THE FIELD
Butler – 23-29 last season; Two All-BIG EAST performers return (Kaitlin Doud and Jenna Foreman)
Illinois – 39-20 last season; Receiving votes in Preseason USA Today/NFCA Coach Poll
Louisville – 31-19 last season; Return six starters, including two All-ACC performers (Nicole Pufahl and Megan Hensley)
North Carolina – 40-20 last season; Receiving votes in Preseason USA Today/NFCA Coach Poll;
North Florida – 31-27 last season; Three ASUN Preseason Honorees (Navia Penrod, Dominica Cocuzza, Kayla McGory)
Providence – 23-25 last season
South Alabama – 35-20 last season; Return three All-Sun Belt players (Kaleigh Todd, Kristian Foster, Devin Brown)
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the highly-anticipated 2018 softball season are currently on sale. General admission tickets to all 21 home games are priced at $50 for adults and $25 for ages 2-17. Click here or call (407) 832-1000 for additional ticketing information.
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