ORLANDO – A year removed from recording a 29-26 overall record and missing out qualifying for the postseason, the UCF baseball team is looking to return to NCAA Tournament play and is full of upside and opportunity heading into the 2026 season.
“The guys have put together a really focused fall and early spring, and I feel like we’re trending in the right direction,” UCF head coach Rich Wallace said. “This group can play our style of baseball at a high level. The real question is whether we can do it consistently, in every circumstance. If we keep progressing the way we have since August, we’ll give ourselves a real shot.”
Despite finishing with a 9-21 record in league play a season ago, the Knights led the Big 12 Conference in batting average, on-base percentage, ERA, and WHIP. The Black and Gold’s impressive .319 batting average not only led the Big 12 but also ranked sixth in the nation. UCF’s notable offensive stats did not stop there, as its .409 on-base percentage again topped the league and ranked 46th nationally.
The Black and Gold’s pitching staff also delivered a big performance last season by leading the conference with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Nationally, the Knights ranked 19th in ERA and 16th in WHIP, showcasing the program’s all-around strength on the mound.
The Knights also recorded a trio of wins over nationally ranked opponents a season ago by taking the series over No. 15 TCU and defeating No. 6 Florida. The Black and Gold spent a week nationally ranked in 2025 by holding down the No. 25 ranking on Perfect Game’s poll in mid-March.
Five Knights earned All-Big 12 honors a season ago led by shortstop Antonio Jimenez being named to the conference’s second team. A total of five UCF players were selected in the 2025 MLB Draft led by Jimenez being taken in the third round by the New York Mets. Catcher Edian Espinal (Tigers, 10th Rd.), RHP Alex Galvan (Diamondbacks, 13th Rd.) catcher Dylan King (Reds, 17th Rd.), and RHP Angelo Smith (Angels, 18th Rd.) were also drafted last season. One more Knight in infielder Kendrey Maduro too signed a free-agent contract with the Angels last summer.
Returning Knights
The 2025 Knights return many of their key contributors on both sides of the ball this season. Among those returning is senior outfielder DeAmez Ross, who paced the Knights with a .359 batting average, totaling 84 hits, 35 RBIs, 15 doubles, and 53 runs scored. Ross earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors for his standout 2025 campaign. Also back for the Black and Gold is junior outfielder Andrew Williamson, who ranked second on the team with a .352 average. Williamson recorded 75 hits, 19 doubles, 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 58 runs scored, establishing himself as one of UCF’s most productive bats last season. After his stellar sophomore campaign a season ago, too was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and recently earned both Preseason All-Big 12 and Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List honors. Rounding out UCF’s returning offensive core is redshirt senior infielder Braden Calise, who hit .301 with 55 hits, six doubles, 35 runs, 29 RBIs, and a .739 OPS.
On the mound, the Black and Gold return a strong core of starting pitchers in Grant Siegel (RHP, 3.88 ERA, 5-2, 44 SO), Matt Sauser (RHP, 4.58 ERA, 3-2, 31 SO), and Camden Wicker (RHP, 4.59 ERA, 31 SO). UCF also welcomes back key bullpen contributors Kevin Schoneboom (RHP, 3.67 ERA, 24 SO) and Kris Sosnowski (RHP, 5.22 ERA, 3-4, 24 SO). The Knights also return sophomore LHP Drew Bellis, sophomore RHP Mateo Gray, and redshirt freshman RHP Anthony Lariz, who have all shown promise early in their careers.
In total, UCF returns three starting pitchers, three position player starters, and 12 returners in all from the 2025 squad.