ORLANDO – Runs were scored in bunches in UCF’s first Citronaut Saturday of the 2026 season, including a nine-run bottom of the fourth inning for the Knights to power them to a 15-7 run-rule victory over Maryland.
Kendall Yarnell brought the fans to their feet once again, launching her second grand slam in as many days of the 2026 campaign, helping UCF rally back for the victory.
Scoring got going early as the Terrapins put up a four spot in their first time at the plate. Three of the first four hitters reached, loading the bases. The first run came across via an error before the following hitter singled home two more. All runs came across unearned in the frame. UCF responded in the bottom of the frame with an Aubrey Evans blast which followed a leadoff walk, making the score 4-2 after the first inning.
The top of the second was one of just two scoreless frames in the contest as Hilde Dempsey shut down Maryland, surrendering a walk but using a double play to get out of the top of the second with just seven pitches. UCF scratched a run back in the home half of the inning as Coco Jaimes scored on an error to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Maryland scored two on a two-out double to left-center field to extend the lead to 6-3, only to see the Knights answer with a three-run bottom of the third, again using the long-ball to get back into the ballgame. Beth Damon hit a two-run blast with one out on a 3-2 pitch to trim the Terrapin lead back to one. Still with one out, Zoe Calvez singled and stole second before Destiny Washington singled to center, driving in Calvez to knot the ballgame at 6-6. Maryland edged back in front, drawing a two-out walk with the bases loaded, making it 7-6 midway through the fourth inning.
An offensive explosion erupted in the home half of the fourth. The Knights loaded the bases, reaching on a pair of walks and a fielder’s choice. After smashing a grand slam in UCF’s season-opening 13-0 win over Boston University, Yarnell stepped up to the plate with the bases full yet again. The outcome was the same as game one as Yarnell obliterated an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall, lifting the Knights to an 10-7 advantage.
IT WASN'T A PREDICTION, IT WAS A SPOILER @UCF_Softball pic.twitter.com/AdgmlDZ2gZ
— UCF Production (@UCFProduction) February 8, 2026
UCF didn’t stop there. After a flyout, Calvez reached again as part of a three-for-three outing. After a Calvez steal, Samantha Rey singled to put runners at the corners. A steal of second by Rey made way for Calvez to steal home, taking a four-run lead. The Knights added four more runs with two out in the inning. With two runners aboard, a fielding error sent Rey across the plate to make it 12-7. With a pair in scoring position, Ashleigh Griffin got in on the action with a double down the right-field line, posting another two runs on the board. The next pitch saw Sierra Humphreys triple to right-center field, allowing Griffin to scamper home for a 15-7 lead.
Our NINE RUN fourth frame, in its entirety 😱 pic.twitter.com/C0XEd7B89j
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball) February 8, 2026
Isabella Vega shut the door on Maryland in the top of the fifth, earning four punchouts across 1.2 innings of work to earn her first win of the campaign.
UP NEXT
The Knights will finish opening weekend with a double header on Sunday, hosting Buffalo at 11 a.m. and Maryland at 1 p.m.