FRESHMAN (2025)
- Named to D1Softball's Preseason D100 Freshman Watch List.
- Appeared in 28 games in the circle, including 18 starts, posting a 4.36 ERA in 88.1 innings of work with 84 strikeouts and a .279 batting average-against; her 88.1 innings represented the third-most on the team.
- Ranked among Big 12 Conference leaders in strikeouts per seven innings (6.7, 4th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.47, 9th).
- Made her collegiate debut against then-No. 12 Georgia, allowing two runs (one earned) in two innings pitched; also tossed four and five innings, respectively, in wins over NC State Feb. 7 and James Madison Feb. 9 during the season-opening Black and Gold Classic.
- Allowed one run in 2.2 innings against then-No. 20 Liberty Feb. 12, striking out three without walking a batter.
- Produced one of the strongest starts of her freshman season during the Clearwater Invitational against Auburn Feb. 14, throwing six innings of one-run ball with three hits and no walks allowed while striking out nine; the effort marked her first career complete game.
- Threw her first career seven-inning complete game against Pitt Feb. 20, allowing two runs and one walk with eight strikeouts in UCF's 4-2 win.
- Tossed 3.2 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits, in UCF's 2-1 walk-off win over FGCU Feb. 21.
- Had a hand in UCF's 3-0 road shutout win over then-No. 22 Florida Atlantic Feb. 26, starting the game with two scoreless innings.
- Recorded a strong start in UCF's March 12 road tilt at then-No. 3 Florida, allowing just three runs in a six-inning complete game with four strikeouts.
- Threw a seven-inning, two-hit complete game against Iowa State March 22, allowing just one run with five strikeouts and no walks.
- Tossed two scoreless innings with just two hits allowed in UCF's road contest at then-No. 2 Oklahoma April 4.
- Threw four hitless frames in UCF's series finale against then-No. 21 Oklahoma State April 19, allowing just one run that scored following her departure while striking out five.
HIGH SCHOOL
- Ranked No. 35 in the nation in the 2024-25 recruiting class by Extra Inning Softball
- Played nine years in travel and club softball with Florida Gold Lopez/Santana, and most recently aided Team Puerto Rico in earning the silver medal during the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in Nov. 2023
“Yessenia is a power pitcher known for commanding her presence and an infectious smile that lights up the field,” said head coach Cindy Ball-Malone. “She’s not only a fierce competitor, but also an exceptional teammate. Yessenia has solidified her position as the ace pitcher for both her high school and club teams, and she proudly represented Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 Pan-American Games. With Lopez’s addition, we anticipate maintaining our storied tradition of outstanding pitching.”
ABOUT YESSENIA
Major: Business; Minor: Marketing ... Favorite pro team: Team Puerto Rico ... Pregame ritual: Hang out with my roommates ... Favorite off day activity: Sleeping in and eating snacks ... Favorite movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas ... Favorite music artist: Rod Wave ... Go-to karaoke song: Sweet Caroline ... Nickname growing up: Puchi ... Favorite sport outside softball: Volleyball ... Dream vacation destination: Bora Bora ... Go-to road trip snack: Popcorn ... Fun facts: I played with the Puerto Rico national team and won a silver medal with teammate Madison Simon and former Knights RHP Gianna Mancha.