ORLANDO - Highlighted by 34 games on its home field at John Euliano Park, the UCF baseball team announced its 2023 schedule Thursday afternoon. The Knights will play a 56-game regular-season schedule that will feature four teams who participated in the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Head coach Greg Lovelady will return to the Black and Gold for his seventh season. He will be joined by Ted Tom (6th season), Nick Otte (5th season), and Chris Cates (3rd season), all returning as assistant coaches.
The Knights went 35-25 last season with a 14-10 American Athletic Conference record, and advanced to the semifinals of the AAC Championship in Clearwater, Florida. Pitchers Ben Vespi and Connor Staine earned AAC First-Team honors, and catcher Andrew Sundean and outfielder Gephry Pena were named to the all-conference second-team. Sundean also earned Freshman All-America honors.
The Black and Gold added eight freshmen and nine transfers over the summer to replace the nineteen departures from last season, including three who were selected in the Major League Baseball draft over the summer - Alex Freeland (Dodgers, Rd. 3), Hunter Patteson (Royals Rd. 5), and Connor Staine (Rockies, Rd. 5).
SCHEDULE FACTS
56 Total Games
34 Home Games
22 Away Games
12 AAC Home Games
MARQUEE MATCHUPS AT JOHN EULIANO PARK
Florida State, March 14-15
On March 14 and 15, UCF will welcome Florida State to John Euliano Park for the first time since the 2017 season. Florida State had a 34-25 record during the 2022 season with a 15-15 Atlantic Coast Conference record. The Seminoles punched their ticket to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, but were eliminated by UCLA in the Auburn Regional.
Maryland, March 24-26
Maryland makes the trip to Orlando for the first time since 2007 when the Terrapins took two of three from the Knights. A lone 2015 matchup in Mobile, Alabama, which the Black and Gold took 7-6, gives Maryland a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Big Ten powerhouse fell in its regional final to UConn last season after an impressive 44-10 regular-season campaign. The three-game set (March 24-26) will be the last home non-conference series before the Knights move onto their final AAC Regular Season before moving to the Big 12.
South Florida, March 31-April 2
UCF will take on rival South Florida from March 30 to April 2 at John Euliano Park. South Florida had a 28-29 record during the 2022 season with an 8-16 record in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls lost 9-6 to Tulane in their second American Athletic Conference Tournament game. The Knights will look to take over the all-time series this season after sharing a 34-34 all-time record against the Bulls. UCF went 4-2 against South Florida in its 2022 season.
Houston, April 28-30
After traveling to Houston last season, the Knights will host the Cougars at John Euliano Park for a three-game series to wrap up the month of April. UCF won the series last year, taking two of the three games in Houston. The Black and Gold encountered the Cougars again at the AAC Tournament, winning the first game, but dropping the second matchup in the semifinals. The Knights have the advantage in the all-time series, leading 26-25, with an even better record at home, 14-8.
TICKETS
Season tickets and anytime season tickets start at just $75 for the season!
2022 season ticket members can log into their athletics account to renew their current seats. Fans interested in becoming season ticket members can purchase tickets online at UCFKnights.com/tickets or by calling 407-823-1000.