Keep following in dungeon.
Friday was last day that softball players could enter portal and be eligible to play in 2023 without needing a waiver. It been a interesting week as UCF added 2 players from Pac-12 which if you would have told me that 5 years ago. I would have said your crazy! I wonder which football transfer
@Brandon feels was the one that felt that football had reach a different level in recruiting/ transfer additions to team but i feel this week felt that way for softball.
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Jass Williams story has been discussed in another thread as well as her social media. Williams can play 2b, SS and OF. Fall Ball likely will determine where staff prefers her but Coach Bear loves to have flexibility. . Case in point Jada Cody started at C, 3B, and LF. This addition will help replace Justene Molina who was AAC Defense player of year at 2b. I think will see Williams start at 2b, SS and in one of corner OF. Macario can play both 2b and ss. Bears knows Jasmine from 2019 U-19 USA Softball team that won gold which Bear was a assistant on staff. That was Jass best year batting .326 with a team-high 15 doubles, four home runs, a triple and 22 RBIs at Oregon Played all 45 games she started at shortstop. The bat was not at that level in 2022 after being out in 2021 due to becoming a mom. The glove is there.
https://ucfknights.com/news/2021/11/10/softball-signs-five-on-national-signing-day.aspx
Incoming Freshmans Aubrey Evans of Apopka also can play 2b and ss is highly touted recruit as part of class that is ranked 25th according to Extra Innings Softball. I expect her to get playing time as she ranked as 27th best player in the top 100 rankings. Another name to see is Nehanda Lewis who ranked 19th. I see Evans or Lewis to get some reps at 3b and a weapon as base runner when not starting.
Olivia Elliott will be in mix in corner outfields and dp. Big question is pitching as it is young. Here how it looks
Returners
Kaitlin Felton 4-2 3.36 50 innings
Grace Jewell 2-3 4.86 31 innings
Angelina DeVoe 2-0 2.39 era 14 innings
New additions from signing class
Katelyn Cochran- ranked as the 40th overall prospect on Extra Innings Elite 100 and the 18th ranked pitcher
Macy Miles- 2- way player-Daughter of Les Miles, Yes that Les Miles!. We may see Les at Plex
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Maddison Applebee-
New Addition Transfer
Sarah Willis-Washington- We discussed her earlier in week-
https://ucf.forums.rivals.com/threads/softball-adds-pitcher-from-pac-12.101603/
Getting Kilfoyl would have been huge as UCF would have had ace with experience who has experience pitching at WCWS. Oklahoma St won out at end.
UCF still in portal market for pitcher and are in mix for P5 pitcher that beat them this year early in season as well as 2-way player from p5 school they beat this year. Both from same conference.
Keep in mind AAC will be young in circle as USF Loses Corrick while Wichita St loses 2 senior aces in Bingham, and McDonald.
I look forward to fall ball and seeing if Felton and or Jewell takes a step forward. Felton showed promised at times but can she be ace in year 2? Can Cochran step in right away as fresh or even Miles like Alea White, Shelby Turnier and Mackenzie Audas did in past? Can Willis be ace and show promise that had her as one of top prospects coming out of high school and make impact similar to Mancha? Is next Kama Woodall in portal still that UCF talking to and trying to land?
All to be determined.