ORLANDO – UCF softball star utility player Jada Cody continues to reap the rewards and recognition for her breakout 2022 campaign, as the Murrieta, California, native has been selected as the No. 31 player in the nation in Softball America's Preseason Top 100 list.
The individual top 100 ranking comes as the second of the offseason for Cody, who was also tabbed as the No. 14 player in the country by D1Softball.com.
Cody, a junior entering her fourth season with the Knights, enjoyed a standout personal 2022 season in helping lead the Knights to the first NCAA Super Regional appearance in program history a year ago. Her accomplishments were highlighted by her program-record 75 RBI last season, breaking Stephanie Best's previous mark of 66 set in 2003. Her 75 RBI also marked the 4th-most in the nation by a single player.
Her final RBI of the year came via a home run in UCF's Game 2 matchup against the eventual-national champion and then-No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners in the Super Regionals, a solo shot in the 6th inning that marked the Knights' first run scored in Super Regional play in program history.
She joined fellow junior Shannon Doherty as one of two Knights to appear in each of the Knights' 63 games and set season-highs in numerous statistical categories. Among her season-highs were RBI, batting average (.361), on-base percentage (.439), slugging percentage (.701), runs scored (48), hits (70), doubles (15), triples (3), home runs (15), total bases (136), and walks (27).
Cody also remained selective and successful in her eyes for stolen base opportunities, as she went 7-for-9 a year ago. In the last two seasons, Cody has combined for 16 stolen bases in 19 tries and has gone 20-for-25 in her three-year career.
In addition to her two preseason honors, Cody was also recognized with All-Conference First Team honors in the American Athletic Conference, NFCA All-Region Second-Team honors, Softball America Second Team All-America honors, and D1Softball.com First Team All-America honors. She also was awarded American Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors twice.
