Tallahassee Regional offers a shot at redemption for UCF softball
UCF softball is making its sixth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament and its third postseason trip to Florida State's JoAnne Graf Field in the past four seasons.
It's been a struggle for the Knights, who haven't advanced past the Tallahassee Regional in the previous four trips.
UCF is 6-8 all-time at the regional site, including an 0-6 mark against host FSU.
"They’re a great program. They have a great environment, but I think we’re ready," said senior infielder Aubrey Evans.
The 6th-seeded Knights (38-16-1) will host Jacksonville State (45-14) on Friday (2:30 p.m., ESPN+), with the winner set to face the winner between No. 9 FSU (49-8) and Stetson (36-20), who play earlier in the day (Noon, ESPNU) as part of the double-elimination tournament.
With a possible showdown with the Seminoles on deck, UCF is making sure not to overlook the Gamecocks, who captured the Conference USA championship.
"The game we’re playing is the most important game," said UCF junior infielder Sierra Humphreys, who leads the team with 56 RBIs. "We can't look past that. I think if everybody’s on their A game and we come out every single day, like we’re supposed to be there, we'll come out on top."
UCF enters the tournament ranked 33rd in earned run average (3.06) and 40th in batting average (.325), while JSU ranks 49th in ERA (3.34) and 86th in batting average (.307).
UCF remains focused on forcing turnovers: ‘That’s not negotiable. We gotta get that ball out’
"We have a strong regional, which just speaks so highly to our game and the parity in it," said longtime UCF coach Cindy Ball-Malone. "I loved our response from our team when they saw our name up there. They wanted that regional."
Ball-Malone believes her team enters this weekend with a chip on their shoulder.
Last season, UCF reached the Austin Regional finals, only to lose to eventual National Champion Texas, 9-0. The Knights have advanced to a Super Regional just once (2022) in the program's history.
UCF is also coming off a disappointing first-round loss in the Big 12 Tournament last week, losing to No. 5 Kansas, 6-5.
"We've just got to learn from the Big 12," said Evans, who is batting .324 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs. "It’s in the past. So we’re 0-0, no stats to our name. It’s a whole new season. We just need the right mindset. We can’t look past Jacksonville State either on Friday, it’s another good program."
Evans is one of 11 upperclassmen on a roster that includes eight seniors and three juniors. Many of those players have been around the program for a while and understand the importance of this weekend, particularly with a possible matchup against Florida State.
The Knights have been outscored by the Seminoles, 22-3.
"We’ve talked a lot about this team and what we can do and what we can accomplish. … I’m really excited to be back at FSU, because I think we have some unfinished business,” said Evans.
"I’m so proud of them and the footprint that they’re leaving here at UCF," Ball-Malone said of the seniors. "They’re not done yet and we still have a lot of work to do, but it’s something that they set out to do."
SCHEDULE
Friday
Game 1 – Noon: FSU vs. Stetson (ESPNU)
Game 2 – 2:30 p.m.: UCF vs. Jacksonville State (ESPN+)
Saturday
Game 3 – Noon: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Game 4 – 2:30 p.m.: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
Game 5 – 5:00 p.m.: Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3
Sunday
Game 6 – Noon: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
Game 7* – 2:30 p.m.: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5
*(If necessary)
Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel's Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 11:34 AM.