UCF Knights softball
Encyclopedia
The University of Central Florida Knights softball program
, commonly referred to as the UCF Knights, represents the University of Central Florida
in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I. The Knights compete in Conference USA
(C-USA). The Knights play their home games on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida
at the UCF Softball Complex, and are currently coached by head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie.
, 6–5. The program played its first four seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference
. In their last year in the conference, the Knights won their first conference tournament championship, defeating Troy
twice in one day, and made their first NCAA tournament appearance. In 2005, UCF moved to Conference USA
.
The UCF Softball Complex opened on March 14, 2006, with the Knights winning two games that day, a 10–9 victory over Marshall
and a 7–3 win over Furman
. In 2008, Gillespie would lead the Knights to their second conference tournament championship, their first in C-USA, and their second appearance in the NCAA tournament, by defeating #9 Houston
. During the tournament, UCF defeated #1 Florida
1–0. In 2010, Gillespie would lead the Knights to their third NCAA tournament appearance.
In the past decade, the Knights own eight no-hitters, including two perfect games. The first two no-hitters in program history were perfect games, and the last four no-hitters were all pitched by Allison Kime. Stephanie Best holds the club record for batting average with .384, home runs with 71 and triples with 13. After their careers at UCF, three Knights have played in the National Pro Fastpitch League
(NPF); Stephanie Best, Allison Kime and Breanne Javier.
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, commonly referred to as the UCF Knights, represents the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I. The Knights compete in Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
(C-USA). The Knights play their home games on UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
at the UCF Softball Complex, and are currently coached by head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie.
History
The UCF softball program was founded in 2002, under the program's only head coach, Renee Luers-Gillispie. The Knights played their first games on February 2, losing the first contest 2–3 to Bethune–Cookman, and winning their second game against ArkansasArkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, 6–5. The program played its first four seasons in the Atlantic Sun Conference
Atlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference...
. In their last year in the conference, the Knights won their first conference tournament championship, defeating Troy
Troy University
Troy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
twice in one day, and made their first NCAA tournament appearance. In 2005, UCF moved to Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
.
The UCF Softball Complex opened on March 14, 2006, with the Knights winning two games that day, a 10–9 victory over Marshall
Marshall Thundering Herd
The Marshall Thundering Herd are the intercollegiate athletic teams that collectively represent the Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Thundering Herd athletic teams compete in Conference USA, which are members of the NCAA Division I...
and a 7–3 win over Furman
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
. In 2008, Gillespie would lead the Knights to their second conference tournament championship, their first in C-USA, and their second appearance in the NCAA tournament, by defeating #9 Houston
Houston Cougars
Houston Cougars is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Houston. Informally, the Houston Cougars have also been referred to as the Coogs, UH, or simply Houston. Houston's nickname was created by early physical education instructor of the university and former head football...
. During the tournament, UCF defeated #1 Florida
Florida Gators softball
The Florida Gators softball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of softball. The Florida Gators compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Southeastern Conference...
1–0. In 2010, Gillespie would lead the Knights to their third NCAA tournament appearance.
In the past decade, the Knights own eight no-hitters, including two perfect games. The first two no-hitters in program history were perfect games, and the last four no-hitters were all pitched by Allison Kime. Stephanie Best holds the club record for batting average with .384, home runs with 71 and triples with 13. After their careers at UCF, three Knights have played in the National Pro Fastpitch League
National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch , formerly the Women's Pro Softball League , is the only professional women's softball league in the United States. The WPSL was founded in 1997 and folded in 2001. The NPF revived the league in 2004 and currently features four teams: USSSA Pride, Akron Racers, Chicago...
(NPF); Stephanie Best, Allison Kime and Breanne Javier.
Coaches
| cellpadding="1" border="1" cellspacing="0" width="80%" class="wikitable"> | Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–Present | Renee Luers-Gillispie | 10 | 363–265–1 | .577 |
| Totals | 1 coach | 10 seasons | 363–265–1 | .577 |
| Records are through the conclusion of the 2011 NCAA Season. | ||||
Seasons
See also
- SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
- UCF KnightsUCF KnightsThe UCF Knights are the athletics teams of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. All of UCF's varsity sports teams are known as the Knights, with the women's teams sometimes referred to as the "Lady Knights." The Knights, which includes the university's 16 varsity sports teams,...
- UCF Knights baseballUCF Knights baseballThe University of Central Florida Knights baseball program, commonly referred to as the UCF Knights, represents the University of Central Florida in National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I. The Knights compete in the Eastern division of Conference USA...
- List of University of Central Florida alumni
- List of University of Central Florida faculty and administrators