ORLANDO – The Knights will welcome the U.S. Women's National Team to Orlando on April 20 at 5:00 p.m. for a single game at the UCF Softball Complex, UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone announced on Friday.
The game will be a 10-inning exhibition. Fans can purchase tickets here.
With less than fourth months until the Tokyo Olympic Games, the world-ranked No. 1 national team will continue preparations in a mid-April training camp set to be held at the Jackie Robinson Training Center (JRTC) from April 12-22 in Vero Beach, Fla.
Team USA will take part in a series of workouts and practice sessions in addition to a four-game series against No. 10 Italy and the game against UCF. The games are a part of the 2021 "Stand Beside Her" tour, presented by Major League Baseball (MLB), and will provide much-needed preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games where the sport of softball returns to the Olympic Stage for the first time since 2008.
"We are so excited for the opportunity to face the best athletes in the world," said Ball-Malone. "This opportunity is something special because it shows where the game is going and what it can provide, and I think it could be a defining moment for some of our young ladies.
"We're definitely going to try to be competitive and win, but more so just enjoy the experience and competition of playing the best of the best. We represent our university, but these women are representing our nation. So, I think it's going to be cool to see it from that perspective."
The game will mark UCF's second all-time against the red, white and blue as the Knights lost 1-0 on Feb. 29, 2008 despite a gem on the mound from UCF-great Allison Kime, who held Team USA to just the one run on three hits while striking out six.
"We are very excited for the opportunity to train and compete this month," said Women's National Team Head Coach, Ken Eriksen. "As we know, COVID has limited our training capabilities but I want to thank Coach Ball-Malone at UCF for creating an opportunity for their team to compete against Team USA and also to Team Italy for working with our National Team staff as we both continue our preparations for the Tokyo Olympics."
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