No. 17 Softball Surges Past North Florida, 4-1, in Latest Midweek WinNo. 17 Softball Surges Past North Florida, 4-1, in Latest Midweek Win

No. 17 Softball Surges Past North Florida, 4-1, in Latest Midweek Win

by Ryan Ladika
Box Score

ORLANDO – Led by another freshman arm in the circle, the No. 17 UCF softball team generated enough offense late to set yet another new program benchmark in its latest winning effort.

A pair of two-run frames in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings proved enough for right-hander Tori Payne Wednesday evening, as the Knights downed the visiting North Florida Ospreys, 4-1, at the UCF Softball Complex.

The team’s latest triumph marked the program’s 36th overall win of the season, surpassing the 2025 squad’s 35 for the most in a single season since UCF joined the Big 12 Conference prior to the 2024 slate.

The Black and Gold have eclipsed 30 victories in each of the last eight non-COVID-19-shortened seasons, and now sit just four wins shy of notching their first 40-win season since 2023 and the fourth 40-win campaign of head coach Cindy Ball-Malone’s tenure.

“Every game from here on out is going to be tough. Pressure is a privilege, but it’s still there. Kudos to UNF, they’re a good team, and it’s so amazing to be in the state of Florida with the quality of competition that we have and the midweek games we can play against good teams.”

Cindy Ball-MaloneHead coach

The Knights’ latest win also lifted the squad to an overall 6-0 mark against in-state opponents this season, with the program having bested Florida Atlantic, Florida A&M, FGCU, FIU, Stetson and now North Florida this spring.

Throughout the contest’s first five frames, it was Payne who kept her team in the game until her offense was able to produce a late-inning rally.

The Wellington, Florida, native bounced back nicely from a first inning that saw her yield an early run on a pair of walks, as she proceeded to hang four straight zeros in the four innings that followed.

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The two walks she issued in the first inning were the only two of the game for UCF’s pitching staff, and Payne, making her 10th appearance of the season and sixth start, was able to eventually work five innings of one-run ball, allowing just the two walks and two hits.

Her five innings marked a personal single-game career high, and she has now tossed at least 3.1 innings in each of her last three starts, totaling 12 innings in that span after amassing 9.1 innings across her first seven collegiate appearances.

“Just from the first inning, it was key for me to trust in my defense behind me and let them work, and then putting faith in our offense as well that we were going to be able to come back and score. Our senior pitchers lead the way for our freshman class, as well as Isabella Vega. That leadership helps us have confidence when we go out and pitch.”

Tori Payneright-handed pitcher

UCF’s offensive corps broke through in the bottom of the fifth, ignited by a leadoff double off the right field wall by third baseman Coco Jaimes. An Ospreys error and a walk drawn by Aubrey Evans soon loaded the bases with one out for Knights left fielder Izzy Mertes, who came through for her squad with a go-ahead two-run single through the middle of the infield.

The Black and Gold then tacked on two more in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Jaimes and a one-out RBI double off the bat of sophomore outfielder Zoe Calvez, representing the first two-bagger of her collegiate career.

“We were just trying to get something started and see more pitches to do better with passing the bat down the lineup. We were all doing something a little differently those two innings to get on base, and we were able to find what we needed to get going offensively.”

Ball-Malone called upon right-hander Lena Elkins to handle the game’s final two frames, and the senior responded with a pair of scoreless innings to lock down her second save of the season and UCF’s seventh overall.

UP NEXT
UCF now embarks on one of its biggest tests of the spring season, in the first of a home-and-home series against No. 5 Florida. First pitch against the Gators is set for 6 p.m. from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville and will be streamed live on the SEC Network 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.