Softball Triumphs over Boston U, CSU Bakersfield on Opening KnightSoftball Triumphs over Boston U, CSU Bakersfield on Opening Knight

Softball Triumphs over Boston U, CSU Bakersfield on Opening Knight

by Ryan Ladika
  • Game 1
  • Game 2
Box Score

ORLANDO – The UCF softball team in 2025 relied on its youth as the squad authored one of the more successful campaigns in program history.

The likes of then-freshmen Izzy Mertes and Beth Damon solidified their roles in head coach Cindy Ball-Malone’s starting lineup with potent offensive capabilities, while first-year right-hander Isabella Vega dazzled as she assumed the role of the staff’s ERA and innings leader.

On a windy, brisk Opening Day at the UCF Softball Complex Thursday, Ball-Malone again turned to players embarking on their respective first collegiate seasons to steer the ship through an all-around prosperous first day of the 2026 slate.

“They did a great job. After the game, they were talking about doing mental bullpens to prevent their walks and the two flare base hits that they gave up today. I’d say we’re in a pretty good position.”

Cindy Ball-Malonehead coach

Four freshman arms, Ava Stuewe, Reagan Vokoun, Hildie Dempsey and Tori Payne, each received the nod from the Black and Gold’s eighth-year leader to make their collegiate debuts Thursday, and they responded with a pair of combined shutout victories as the Knights grabbed two convincing season-opening run-rule wins over Boston U, 13-0, and CSU Bakersfield, 10-0.

The Knights’ 13-0 margin over the Terriers marked the program’s most prolific season-opener since 2021, when the program also toppled FGCU by a 13-0 final score, and gave UCF its third straight season-opener with at least 10 runs scored after the squad bested Howard, 10-2, Feb. 8, 2024, and CSU Bakersfield, 10-0, Feb. 6, 2025.

The Black and Gold’s 23 combined runs between Thursday’s two contests marked the most scored by the program in a single day since the 2012 Knights scored 27 runs between two games of a doubleheader at UTEP April 6, and the squad on the other side earned back-to-back shutout wins to start a season for the first time since the 2021 Knights kicked off their season with consecutive shutouts against FGCU, 13-0 and 8-0.

“It was awesome to show the work that we’ve all put in throughout the fall. Not just me, but everybody too. All the work that we’ve done to get where we are and do what we did tonight. Straight off the bat, it sets the standard for us and what we can do.”

Ava Stueweright-handed pitcher

Led by the tandem of Stuewe and Vokoun in the circle during Thursday’s opener against the Terriers, UCF utilized a pair of six-run innings to overwhelm the three-time defending Patriot League champions. Mertes and junior Sierra Humphreys both notched run-scoring doubles to plate sophomores Coco Jaimes and Kalista Birkenstock, and UCF’s relentless offense then managed to load the bases.

Sophomore utility player Kendall Yarnell, after thriving as Ball-Malone’s go-to option off the bench throughout her freshman 2025 season with a Big 12 Conference-leading 11 pinch hits, was once again called upon in a key moment by her head coach.

She picked up right where she left off, driving a 2-2 offering over the right-center field wall to give the Knights their first homer of the season, her first home run in her home park, her second career pinch-hit homer, and her first career grand slam.

In doing so, Yarnell became the second player in program history to slug an Opening Day grand slam, joining Ashley Van Ryn against Texas Tech Feb. 10, 2006.

We’ve talked a lot about accepting our roles this year. That’s a big part of my mindset. My number was called, and coach Bear is really smart with the plays. I just knew to give it my all and swing hard.”

Kendall Yarnellutility

Damon and Ashleigh Griffin later added a combined three more run-scoring singles, and redshirt sophomore Destiny Washington, in her first at-bat with UCF since joining the team midway through the 2024-25 school year, plated the Knights’ final two runs with a double off the bench.

The support was more than enough for Stuewe and Vokoun, who yielded just one hit with five strikeouts over five scoreless frames.

“Our freshmen pitchers don’t act like freshmen pitchers,” Ball-Malone added. “They’re so mature and they understand the preparation. They’re some of the toughest competitors and hardest workers within our program. They’re bringing that ‘playground kid’ mentality back to our program, and what an exciting time to watch that returning infield play the way they are.”

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UCF wasted no time rallying around Payne, making her first collegiate start against the Roadrunners in the nightcap, plating four more first-inning runs by way of two more homers off the bats of Mertes and Humphreys.

The Knights’ junior second baseman later added her second RBI of the evening with a third-inning RBI double, and UCF would go on to take advantage of Roadrunner defensive miscues to plate its final five runs of the contest.

Payne, like Stuewe before her, seized the early momentum, spinning three hitless innings before Ball-Malone called upon Dempsey to finish the job.

“It’s really awesome, and we’ve worked so hard,” Yarnell added. “We have so many talks about bringing the energy and never letting up. It was really exciting for all of us and it shows what we can do and how hard we’ve been working.”

UP NEXT
The Knights look to carry their early momentum into Friday night’s tilt against the No. 16 Duke Blue Devils. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. from the UCF Softball Complex and will be streamed live on ESPN+. 

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.