ORLANDO – UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir announced today that eighth-year softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping her at the helm of the program through 2029.
"Orlando is home, UCF is home, and this team, this program and everyone who's in it are so unique, and it's very difficult to recreate what we have here. The people, atmosphere and everyone involved in Knight nation are what make it so special, and I couldn't be more appreciative to Terry Mohajir and this university for this opportunity to continue on in my coaching career here."
Cindy Ball-Malonehead coachBall-Malone, the architect of one of the most successful seven-year periods in the program’s history, boasts a 251-129-3 aggregate record leading the Knights, highlighted by three 40-win seasons, three conference championships, five straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2021-25, and one NCAA Super Regional appearance.
The Knights are coming off one of the more prolific seasons under Ball-Malone in 2025, setting numerous program records throughout their second campaign as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
Highlights included seven wins over ranked opponents (tied with 2022), their highest-ranked series win (at then-No. 4 Arizona), the largest comeback win against a ranked opponent (five runs vs. then-No. 15 Missouri), and the largest overall comeback win (11 runs at Stetson).
UCF also earned its first Phillips 66 Big 12 Conference Tournament victory, besting Utah, 7-5, in the first round on Ashleigh Griffin’s walk-off two-run home run at Oklahoma City’s Devon Park May 7.
The Knights would later earn wins over Eastern Illinois and then-No. 25 Michigan during the 2025 NCAA Austin Regional, advancing to their first Regional Final since 2022.
UCF has won at least 31 games in each of its non-COVID-19-shortened seasons under Ball-Malone, and in the spring of 2020 was off to a 21-5-1 start before the season’s cancellation. The Black and Gold’s five consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament represent the longest streak in program history as well, as the team had previously earned seven tournament berths in its first 17 seasons from 2002-18.
The Knights hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time in program history under Ball-Malone, rewarded for a 46-12 regular-season record in 2022 with the No. 16 national seed.
UCF earned The American’s regular-season and conference championships in 2022 after clinching five ranked wins during the regular season, and then swept the NCAA Orlando Regional, besting Villanova and then-No. 24 Michigan, its sixth and seventh ranked wins of the year, to punch its NCAA Super Regional ticket for the first time.
The Black and Gold have been well-represented on the conference and national stage in awards recognition throughout Ball-Malone’s tenure as well, as the Knights in that span boast three All-America selections, 17 NFCA All-Region selections and 46 all-conference picks between the Big 12 and The American.
Ball-Malone and her staff were recognized in 2022 as the NFCA’s Regional Coaching Staff of the Year and AAC Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts, and she also saw Jada Cody (2022), Beth Damon (2025) and Isabella Vega (2025) earn All-America status, Sarah Willis (2023) earn AAC Pitcher of the Year honors, Justine Molina (2022) earn AAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition, and Micaela Macario (2022) earn AAC Rookie of the Year honors.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida’s preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as “Orlando’s Hometown Team”. To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.