The softball portal closed on Monday and I am happy to say we did not lose a starter to the portal. We only lost 2 players overall from last season in OF Alexis Morgan and C Kiley Strott. Both moved to go somewhere for more playing time. Heard ECU for Morgan. In this era. I consider this a HUGE success. Credit to Cindy and the staff for culture and to players for being bought in. Here breakdown of roster.
C-Beth Damon
1b- Ashliegh Griffin
2b- Coco Jaimes, Sammy Rey
SS-Aubrey Evans
3b-Sierra Humphreys
LF- Sammy Rey
CF-Destiny Washington *
RF- Izzy Mertes, Taylor Kittleman
DH- Izzy Mertes, Kendall Yarnell
P- Isabella Vega, Yessenia Lopez, Lena Elkins, Macy Miles, Kaitlyn Cochran.
* Washington redshited this season after transferring last fall from Marshall. Washington i expect be in OF Mix in 26.
Good breakdown of roster as well by reading this article.
https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.co...bright-future-cindy-ball-malone-isabella-vega as well as Freshman class.
https://ucfknights.com/news/2024/11/13/softball-announces-2025-26-recruiting-class.
Now question is what will UCF add from portal?
Catcher is a spot they need to add with loss of Strott. I have heard UCF would like to add a arm but that not easy as the top pitchers are expensive and we dont have money to compete with other P4 schools. I think money they do have is in keeping core internally first. I heard we lost out to Miss St and Washington. So we likely have to wait until market settles down and try to get bargain players with high upside. It a challenge being same league as Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Arizona St who have money to spend in portal.
The continue growth of core will be key. Especially from Lopez and Elkins to complement Vega and replace Kaitlyn Felton innings. I really think this core can get to hosting regional if they can couple pieces like they did for 22 team. But easier said than done. They have players visiting this week. Interesting to see how this Freshman class coming in the fall impacts the team. Perhaps some of answers to the questions to the roster lies there.
