UCF SOFTBALL
Last weekend, the Knights went 2-0-1 at home against the Utes, outscoring Utah by an aggregate 28-3 in clinching their second straight Big 12 Conference series win and third of the spring. Saturday’s series finale was officially ruled a 2-2 tie after nine innings once the game reached the Utes’ drop-dead time for travel purposes.
The three runs allowed by UCF to Utah also represented the second fewest yielded by a Knights squad in a series since the program joined the Big 12, trailing only the two runs the Black and Gold allowed to the Houston Cougars on the road April 12-14, 2024.
Redshirt sophomore right-hander Isabella Vega once again led her staff throughout the weekend’s action, totaling a team high 10.2 innings of work with a 1.31 ERA and a .225 batting average-against in her three appearances.
She earned the winning decision in both of UCF’s two victories, marking the fifth and sixth straight team games that saw the Bradenton native earn the win. In doing so, Vega became the first UCF pitcher since Alea White in 2019 to earn the winning decision in six consecutive team games after she became the first arm since White to earn the win in all three games of a conference series last weekend.
Offensively, the Knights notched two more run-rule wins in the series, and in plating 17 runs in the teams’ series-opener extended their streak of double digit runs scored to four straight games for the first time in program history. UCF’s 17-0 victory Thursday represented the third largest shutout win in program history as well.
Junior second baseman Sierra Humphreys led the offensive charge for her squad, slashing a combined .700/.727/1.300 (7-for-10) with two home runs, five runs scored, eight RBI and 13 total bases in the series. The effort netted the Corona, California native her first career Big 12 Conference Player of the Week honor and UCF’s fourth Big 12 weekly honor of the season.
Senior shortstop Aubrey Evans slugged a pair of home runs in the Knights’ series-opener as well, and Kendall Yarnell added her 11th of the season Thursday evening to tie Beth Damon for the team lead.
Boasting a 30-10-1 record through its first 41 games, UCF also owns its best mark through the first 41 games of a season since the 2022 Knights went 31-10 en route to hosting the first NCAA Regional in program history.
Up Next:
UCF was at Arizona State for a crucial Big 12 Conference series last weekend and will host Stetson tonight (Wednesday) at the UCF Softball Complex at 6 p.m. before welcoming Kansas to town for the Knights’ final home Big 12 series on Friday (6 p.m.), Saturday (5 p.m.) and Sunday at 11 a.m. All of the game will be on ESPN+.
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Coming up at Orlando Speed World Dragway:
* Today: Wheels Up Wednesday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m.
* Full Throttle Friday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race. Kids 10-and-Under free.
* Saturday and Sunday _ Rounds 7 and 8 of the OSW Bracket Racing Championship Series. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days with racing at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The Dragway information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
SpeedWorld is located 17 miles east of Orlando in Bithlo at 19164 East Colonial Drive, between Orlando and Titusville on Highway 50 at the 520 Cocoa Cutoff.
LMSA
* Due to low water levels on Lake Monroe the City of Sanford has closed the downtown boat ramps, forcing several special events to be postponed until further notice. The weekly Rum Race will continue, however. Check out the calendar for updates.
Today (April 15), 22, 29 _ Breezeway Rum Racing. Anyone with a Portsmouth rated boat is welcome to attend the Rum Race, with cocktails, dinner and scores at The Breezeway afterwards.
If you are looking to crew, be down at the ramp by 5:30 p.m. If you are sailing, the starting window will be between 6 p.m.-and-6:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 _ LMSA Club Meeting, 10:30 a.m.-to-11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 18 _ LMSA Club Championship Series for the Hayden Cup, Skippers Meeting set for noon.
Sunday, April 26 _ LMSA Open House.
Sunday, April 26 _ Sine Metu Jameson Irish Whiskey Race.
For more information, visit _ www.flalmsa.org _ or call (321) 578-8364.
SANFORD ADULT SOFTBALL
Here is the schedule for this week in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Softball Spring League.
The Semi-Co-Ed/Fun League on Wednesday has Fedup vs. Pat's Liquor at 6:30 p.m.; Parkway Punishers vs. The West End Trading Company at 7:30 p.m.; and Throwbacks vs. Longhorns at 8:30 p.m. Bucks will have the Bye.
The Men’s League on Tuesday (April 21) will have Venezolanos en Sanford playing the doubleheader against the Bokey Batters at 6:30 p.m. and The Handicapps at 7:30 p.m. and The West End Trading Company facing the Celery City Gamecocks at 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free at Pinehurst Park on West 24th Street.
For more information contact Dominic Pascuzzo, City of Sanford Recreation Supervisor, at the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department at 407-688-5120, extension 5004; Fax _ 407-688-5121; facebook.com/SanfordFLCityGovt; instagram.com/cityofsanfordfl; visit the city website _ www.sanfordfl.gov _ or email: [email protected].
ORLANDO CITY
Orlando City SC (1-5-0, 3 points) fell 6-0 to LAFC (5-0-1, 16 points) in its visit to BMO Stadium on Saturday night, April 4.
Goal Highlights:
* 7’ - David Brekalo (Own Goal) – LAFC 1, ORL 0.
* 20’ - Denis Bouanga (Son Heung-Min, Nathan Ordaz) – LAFC 2, ORL 0.
* 23’ - Denis Bouanga (Son Heung-Min) – LAFC 3, ORL 0.
* 28’ - Denis Bouanga (Son Heung-Min) – LAFC 4, ORL 0.
* 39’ - Sergi Palencia (Son Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga) – LAFC 5, ORL 0.
* 70’ - Tyler Boyd (Jacob Shaffelburg) – LAFC 6, ORL 0.
Next Match:
The Lions traveled to Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew on Sunday, April 12, and will be at Paradise Coast Sports Complex tonight (Wednesday) to face FC Naples as part of the U.S. Open Cup at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The team will return to MLS competition on Saturday (April 18) to host Houston at Inter&Co Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV.
For more information on Orlando City SC, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
VALKYRIES HIT THE ROAD
Fresh off the All-Star break, the Orlando Valkyries got back to their winning ways Saturday night (April 4), earning their first win over Atlanta this season in a four-set victory (23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22). With the win, Orlando improves to 10–11 on the season and currently holds fourth place, the final playoff spot, with seven matches left to go.
Offensively, the Valkyries found their success across the entire board. Outside hitter Charitie Luper led all hitters with 22 kills, fueled by a strong connection with setter Chompoo Guedpard that opened up the court early for her and the rest of the team. The Valkyries welcomed back 2025 league MVP Brittany Abercrombie to the starting lineup for the first time since January 31, and she finished with 16 kills. In the middle, Natalie Foster delivered a career-high 21 points, totaling 12 kills, four service aces and five blocks.
Up Next:
The Valkyries were in California to take on the San Diego Mojo at Viejas Arena on Saturday and will return to Addition Financial Arena for a match against Indy Ignite tomorrow (Thursday) at 7 p.m. on Roku Channel before heading to Michigan to take on the Grand Rapids Rise at Van Andel Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m. on Samsung TV Plus.
UCF BASEBALL
UCF junior outfielder Andrew Williamson has been named the Perfect Game College Baseball National Player of the Week after his outstanding series at West Virginia this past weekend.
Williamson helped lead the No. 12 Knights (20-9, 10-2 Big 12) to a big series win at then-No. 11 WVU by hitting .600 for the series with three home runs, a double, six runs scored and three RBI. He also drew five walks and posted a stellar 2.333 OPS with a 1.600 slugging percentage and a .733 on-base clip.
He posted his first two-homer game since his freshman season by going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a pair of home runs in a 5-0 victory on Friday. After going 1-for-3 with three walks and a run scored on Saturday, he capped the impressive weekend by going 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks and two runs scored in a 5-1 victory on Sunday to help the Black and Gold capture the pivotal conference series.
In Friday’s opener at the defending Big 12 regular-season champion Mountaineers, the Knight bullpen tossed eight scoreless innings to lead the Black and Gold to a 5-0 shutout. After Braden Smith went down with an injury at the end of the first inning, the bullpen stepped up as Max Murray, Kevin Schoneboom, Kris Sosnowski and Evan Jones teamed up to shut WVU out. Murray led the way with 3.0 shutout frames, while Sosnowski tossed 2.2 innings, Schoneboom 1.1, and Jones 1.0.
After WVU responded by scoring nine late runs to erase a 10-2 deficit and win game two, 11-10, UCF bounced back on Sunday behind 7.0 dominant innings from starter Camden Wicker to take the finale 5-1 to claim the series. He allowed just one run on three hits while striking out a season-high six batters. He faced the minimum in four of his seven innings and allowed just six baserunners on the day. The seven-plus innings matched a career-best for Wicker, as he moved to 3-1 with the win.
For series, Landon Moran followed Williamson by batting .455, while John Smith III followed with a .429 average, two doubles, four runs scored and five RBI.
By taking the series, the Knights are a perfect 4-for-4 in Big 12 series on the season with home sweeps over Oklahoma State and the defending Big 12 tournament champion Arizona Wildcats, as well as road victories at the preseason favorite TCU Horned Frogs and the defending regular season champion Mountaineers.
After having its midweek game rained out last Tuesday against Stetson, the No. 12 UCF baseball team went on the road for another key Big 12 series at Kansas, which was one game behind the Knights in the Big 12 standings.
UCF returned to Orlando to host Jacksonville on Tuesday and will host longtime rival Cincinnati this weekend at John Euliano Park. Games will be at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday on 96.9 FM The Team and ESPN+, before heading to Daytona Beach to face Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
SANFORD YOUTH SPORTS
The City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Youth Spring Flag Football and Soccer Leagues will be in action at The Jeff Triplett Community Center @ Tim Raines Sports Complex on Saturday.
* The Youth Flag Football Fall League _ 5-to-8 year olds: 8:30 a.m., Steak n' Shake Steelers vs. Cart N Go Bills; 8:30 a.m., CPH Ravens vs. Del-Air Eagles; 9:20 a.m., Alaskan Ice Patriots vs. Card My Yard Packers; 9:20 a.m., Gravity Roofing Dolphins vs. Waste Pro Commanders; Playoffs for AFC vs. NFC 9-to-11 year olds Playoffs: 10:10 a.m., Cart N Go Bills vs. Games and Events Eagles; 10:10 a.m., Harrell & Beverly 49ers vs. Steak n' Shake Steelers; 11 a.m., Jess’s Lemonade Cowboys vs. Rita’s Jaguars; 11 a.m., Collis Roofing Panthers vs. Chopes Ravens; 11:50 a.m., Climate First Bank Vikings vs. Culver’s Dolphins; 11:50 a.m., Thermotane Propane Giants vs. Alaskan Ice Patriots; Powered by: Del-Air 12-14 year olds _ 12:40 p.m., Buccaneers vs. Jaguars; 12:40 p.m., Giants vs. Dolphins; 1:30 p.m., Lions vs. Patriots; 1:30 p.m., Cowboys vs. Collis Roofing Colts.
* The Youth Soccer League _ 4-to-6 year olds: 8:30 a.m., Waste Pro Turbo Turtles vs. Sanford Elks Lodge 1241 Purple Panthers; 8:30 a.m., Harrell & Beverly Pink Tigers vs. Del-Air Fireballs; 9:20 a.m., Stallion Heating & Air Young Strikers vs. Cart N Go Krush; 9:20 a.m., Culver’s Beehive Ballers vs. Alaskan Ice Blue Jays; 7-to-8 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Climate First Bank Blasters vs. Cart N Go Krush; 10:10 a.m., Harrell & Beverly Blue Sharks vs. Versus Games & Events Wolves; 11 a.m., Del-Air Lions vs. Stallion Heating & Air Tornadoes; 11 a.m., Gravity Roofing Dolphins vs. Collis Roofing Stingrays; 11:50 a.m., Alaskan Ice Black Mambas vs. Card My Yard Falcons; 11:50 a.m., Rita’s Ruby Raiders vs. Steak n' Shake Alpha FC; 9-to-10 year olds: 12:40 p.m., Stallion Heating & Air Seminole Strikers vs. Versus Games & Events Lions; 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Clutch Cobras vs. Collis Roofing Stingrays; 1:30 p.m., Alaskan Ice Hornets vs. Waste Pro Flamingos.
SANFORD ADULT VOLLEYBALL
Here is the schedule in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Spring Volleyball Season that plays on Sunday’s at the Westside Community Center, located at 919 South Persimmon Avenue across from Crooms Academy.
In the B-Recreation Division _ at 2 p.m., Island Time vs. Benchwarmers; 2:50 p.m., Ovo vs. Benchwarmers; 3:40 p.m., Up In The Air vs. Gus Bus; 4:30 p.m., Derby Smashers vs. Big Tipper.
In the A-Competitive Division _ at 5:20 p.m., Ringers vs. Set It Off; 6:10 p.m., Iron Wall vs. Sand & Sweat; 7 p.m., Volley Vibes vs. Ball Busters; 7:50 p.m., Ball Busters vs. Setters Alliance.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free.
ORLANDO PRIDE
The Orlando Pride (1-1-2, 5 points) returned home to take on league leaders Angel City FC (3-0-0, 9 points) at Inter&Co Stadium last Friday and are now on a two-week break.
