ORLANDO – UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone and staff added to their roster on Tuesday, announcing the addition of five incoming freshman to this year's signing class.
"We are very excited to bring in such a strong class this year," said Ball-Malone. "They have a lot of great experience and great talent. This class includes a good mix of power and speed, one of the best arms in the nation, and they all come from very strong programs. They are high-character kids with high softball IQs."
The Knights will add a well-rounded group in this year's signing class as they bring on two catchers/infielders, a pitcher, and two infielders. The class features athletes hailing from California, Florida, and Georgia.
Micaela "Lala" Macario | 5'6 | IF | L/R | Chula Vista, Calif.
- Attends Bonita Vista High School
- Was also a track and field athlete, participating in the 4x100m, 100m, and Long Jump
- Named school varsity MVP and Metromesa All-League Team in her sophomore season
- Named school varsity Best Defensive Player and Metromesa All-League Team in her freshman season
- Played for the California Cruisers club team
- Intends to major in Health Sciences
Why UCF…
"I chose UCF because of how well-rounded the university is academically, athletically, and culturally. The support from UCF facilities and amazing coaching staff will not only help me grow as a student-athlete, but also as a person."
Ball-Malone on Macario…
"Lala is exciting as a middle infielder that is a lefty hitter and has speed. She is the quiet thunder because you see her, and you think she looks like an athlete, and altough she is not overpowering with size, she can hang with the big hitters when she needs too. She is definitely a five-tool player."
Carson Frier | 5'6 | C/IF | R/R | Live Oak, Fla.
- Attends Suwannee High School
- Played club for the Gold Coast Hurricanes that were the USSSA elite select world fast pitch champions and the 16U Junior Olympic cup softball runner ups in 2020
- Member of school's varsity soccer team where she scored 23 goals and was offensive MVP, overall MVP and made First Team All-State
- Broke school record in weightlifting for clean and jerk and total in the 154-weight class
- Member of school's golf team where she won three golf matches
- Member of school's volleyball team where she was the junior volleyball offensive MVP
- Intends to major in Business Finance and Marketing
Why UCF…
"I choose UCF because I love the coaching staff, love the distance from home, and how amazing all the sports teams are."
Ball-Malone on Frier…
"Carson is going to bring a lot of versatility to the team. She is going to help a lot behind the plate. With 56 plus games in a season and such a large pitching staff, we need some good catchers to help us out behind the plate. Carson is a great teammate and comes from an awesome pedigree, so we are looking to really see her bring that to our program."
Kaitlyn Felton | 5'8 | RHP | Valrico, Fla.
- Attends Newsome High School
- Led her high school team to a state runner up finish in her sophomore season
- Was Second Team All-Conference her freshman year
- Played for the Tampa Mustangs and NJ Intensity KOD Premier club softball teams
- Intends to Major in Health Sciences
Why UCF…
"I love the coaching staff and the high expectations that they set for their players and strive to achieve everyday, both on and off the field."
Ball-Malone on Felton…
"Kaitlyn is one of the best arms in the nation coming out of this year's class. She has won a PGF National Championship and has continued to put her teams in strong positions to compete at the highest level. I am really excited for what she is going to bring and add to our pitching staff and I expect her to step in and compete for innings right away."
Ashleigh Griffin | 5'7 | C/IF | R/R | Newnan, Ga.
- Attends East Coweta High School
- Hit .547 with 54 RBI and 8 home runs in her junior season
- Won three state championships with her high school team
- Named to the senior All-Star team
- Named Fist Team All-State her junior year
- Played for the Georgia Impact club softball team
- Intends to major in Exercise Science
Ball-Malone on Griffin…
"Another catcher/corner that comes from a strong program in Georgia Impact. She is a winner. She has been on winning teams and played with some of the best players in the state of Georgia. She is highly competitive and brings a big bat to this class."
Savannah Adams | 5'8 | 1B | R/R | La Mirada, Calif.
- Attends La Mirada High School
- Named Suburban First Team All-League her sophomore season
- Earned 2019 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors
- Named San Gabriel Valley Softball All-Star (Platinum) her sophomore year
- Won two league championships with her high school softball team
- Played for the Corona Angels club team
- Intends to major in Forensic Science
Why UCF…
"I chose UCF to continue my softball career because it felt like a home away from home. It was always my dream to play D1 softball at a competitive level, surrounded by a great coaching staff."
Ball-Malone on Adams…
"Savannah plays for one of the top organizations that just graduates well-known players that compete at the highest level in college in the Corona Angels, led by Marty Tyson. So, I am excited to see what she brings to our program, as far as the experience she brings. To bring that, along with the knowledge and big-game experience is going to be really important for us."
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