Simon made eight starts in 2023, hitting .435 and seeing six of her 10 hits go for extra bases, including three doubles, one triple and two home runs. She began the 2023 slate with a two-double showing against New Mexico Feb. 10 and hit safely in seven of her eight games, including a 3-for-3 display against Portland State Feb. 18 that also marked her second straight game with a home run.
The outfielder played a key role in the 2022 Beavers’ run to the Women’s College World Series as well, hitting safely in four of Oregon State’s five games during the NCAA Knoxville Regional. Simon recorded three extra-base hits, including a solo home run and two doubles, and drove in three runs in helping lead her squad to the NCAA Stanford Super Regional.
The Beavers eliminated the Cardinal in just two games, aided by Simon’s crucial second-inning two-run homer in Oregon State’s 3-1 victory in Game 1, to punch their ticket to Oklahoma City.
Simon also strengthens UCF’s ties to the Puerto Rico national team, as she was a member of the silver medal-winning squad at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, along with current Knights Samantha Delhoyo and Yessenia Lopez, and former UCF right-handed pitcher Gianna Mancha.
“I played with Sammi, Yessenia and Gianna in Puerto Rico and Chile, and they were definitely a huge factor in my decision,” Simon added. “I love playing with them, and they spoke very highly of the program, of Coach Bear and the new members of the coaching staff. They thought it would be a great fit for me.”
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