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 Pat’s Liquor vs. Parkway Punishers at 6:30 p.m.; The West End Trading Company vs. Bucks at 7:30 p.m. and Longhorns vs. FedUp at 8:30 p.m. Throwbacks will have the Bye.
The Men’s League on Tuesday (March 31) will have The Handicapps playing the doubleheader against The West End Trading Company at 6:30 p.m. and Venezolanos en Sanford at 7:30 p.m. and the Bokey Batters 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].
NO. 21 UCF SOFTBALL SWEPT BY NO. 3 TEXAS TECH
The No. 21 UCF softball team fell in its series finale to the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 7-2, at the UCF Softball Complex Sunday afternoon.
The effort dropped the Knights to 24-10 overall and 3-6 in the Big 12 through their first 34 games this spring, while Texas Tech, the defending Big 12 Champions and national runner-ups, improved to 30-2 overall and 8-1 in Big 12 Conference play.
The Red Raiders utilized two walks to open the game and a 1-out home run for a three-run top of the first inning and a two-run second on a walk, a bloop single to left and a pair of run-scoring wild pitches, to jump out to an early 5-0 lead over the Black and Gold and added their final two scores in the top of the fifth frame.
Knights’ relievers Reagan Vokoun and Isabella Vega pitched well out of the bullpen for their squad, combining for 4.1 innings with just two runs, one earned, and three hits allowed to the potent Texas Tech lineup.
UCF managed to break through against Red Raiders starter Samantha Lincoln in the home half of the seventh inning, when Izzy Mertes reached on a Texas Tech error and Sierra Humphreys lined a one-out double down the right field line.
Aubrey Evans pushed the Knights’ first run across on a groundout to shortstop, and an Ashleigh Griffin run-scoring single plated Humphreys in the moments following.
UCF was blanked, 9-0, in a 6-inning run rule contest on Saturday, after the Knights had faced off against the two-time reigning NFCA National Pitcher of the Year in NiJaree Canady and fell just 4-3.
The Black and Gold saw redshirt sophomore right-hander Isabella Vega nearly match her opponent pitch-for-pitch, going the distance against a Red Raiders lineup that ranks within the top 10 in the nation in nearly every offensive statistical category.
Down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, UCF tied it up. Coco Jaimes led off with a single through the left side, and sophomore catcher Beth Damon lined a run-scoring double into the left-center field gap to halve Texas Tech’s early advantage. Sierra Humphreys followed with another run-scoring double to right-center field that plated pinch-runner Taylor Kittleman and evened the affairs at two runs apiece.
The guests regained the lead on a pair of solo home runs in the sixth inning, before the Knights for a solo bomb of its own from Damon, who sent a 2-2 offering from Canady deep over the left field fence with her 10th home run of the season.
Up Next:
The Knights will look to bounce back in the homestand finale tonight (Wednesday) at 5 p.m. against Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) at UCF Softball Complex before heading to Texas to face Houston in a 3-game series Friday-thru-Sunday at times to be announced. All games will be streamed live 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 _ The TRC & Sinister Performance OSW NO PREP! Presented by FuelTech. Spectator gates open at 1 p.m.
* FUNDAY Sunday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 10 a.m. and racing from 10:30 a.m.-to-5 p.m.
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.
ORLANDO PRIDE
The Orlando Pride (0-1-1, 1 point) drew 1-1 against Denver Summit FC (0-1-1, 1 point) at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday evening in the first-ever matchup between the two sides.
Goal Highlights:
* 24’ - Melissa Kössler (Ayo Oke) 24’ - DEN 1, ORL 0.
* 61’ - Barbra Banda (Jacquie Ovalle) 61’ - ORL 1, DEN 1.
Next Match:
The Pride is a two-game road trip, first traveling to Martin Stadium tonight (Wednesday), to take on Chicago Stars FC at 8 p.m. on Victory+, before facing defending NWSL champions Gotham FC on Sunday at 7 p.m. on Victory+.
UCF BASEBALL TAKES 2-OF-3 AT TCU
Camden Wicker tossed 6.2 scoreless innings and the UCF offense tallied 17 hits on the day en route to defeating TCU 9-1 on Sunday afternoon at Lupton Stadium.
UCF claimed the Big 12 series with the victory to improve to 15-7 overall and 5-1 in Big 12 play. The Knights have now won six of their last seven games as well as 11 out of their last 13. The preseason favorite Horned Frogs dropped to 13-10 overall and 2-4 in league play.
Wicker went a season-high 6.2 innings and allowed just one hit and no runs while tying a season-high with four strikeouts to earn the win and move to 1-1 on the season. Michael Gillen then tossed 2.0 innings of solid relief and Evan Jones retired the lone batter he faced. TCU starter Trevor Baumler was tagged with the loss to drop to 0-1.
A day removed from being shut out, 6-0 on just three hits, the Black and Gold offense didn’t waste any time getting things going with a trio of runs in the first inning. Following an Andrew Williamson walk and a John Smith III single, Zak Skinner drove home Williamson with an RBI double off the wall in right center. Javier Crespo immediately followed with a two-run double of his own to deep center field to give the Knights an early 3-0 lead.
Skinner had a career day at the plate by going a perfect 5-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Smith III was next by going 3-for-5 with a homer, two runs scored and an RBI, while Crespo and Jordan Lodise had two hits apiece. In all, nine different Knights recorded hits on the day as the team tallied 17 hits on the afternoon.
On Friday, the Black and Gold jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, scoring seven runs in the second inning, and tacked on eight more runs runs in the ninth to win 18-7 in the series opener.
The 18 runs marked a season-high for the Knights as they also slugged out a season-best 18 hits.
Andrew Williamson and Lodise led the Black and Gold at the plate by each tallying four hits on the night. Williamson led the way by finishing a home run shy of the cycle with a double, a triple, three runs scored and four runs batted in on his way to a 4-for-5 performance. Lodise was also 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored and three runs batted in. In all, seven different Knights recorded multiple hits in the game.
Behind Williamson and Lodise’s big performances at the plate, Smith III, Crespo and DeAmez Ross all finished with two hits and two runs batted in.
The series victory marked UCF’s second consecutive Big 12 series win. It marked the first time the Black and Gold have claimed back-to-back conference series since 2024.
Stetson doubles up on the Knights
The UCF baseball team scored four runs in the eighth inning but couldn’t overcome a slow start as it dropped an 8-4 midweek contest to Stetson on Tuesday night at Melching Field at Conrad Park.
The Knights fell to 15-8 overall with the setback while the Hatters improved to 12-14 with the victory. Despite the loss, the Black and Gold have still won six of their last eight games.
Trailing 8-0, the guests got on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth, as Williamson followed a Stephen Chucka double by belting out a two-run home run to deep center field to make it 8-2. The home run marked Williamson’s team-leading fifth of the season and traveled 417 feet and was clocked at 105 MPH off the bat. UCF later loaded the bases with two outs in the frame and picked up another run on a Stetson defensive miscue and one more on a wild pitch to cut the deficit in half at 8-4.
Cayden Gaskin led the way at the plate by going 2-for-4 while Williamson homered and finished 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Freshman Chucka also had a nice showing by going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored off the bench.
The contest marked the first of three season meetings between the Knights and Hatters. The two will meet again in Orlando on April 7 as well as on April 29 in neutral-site action in Lakeland at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.
On Deck:
The Knights will host the defending Big 12 Tournament champion Arizona Wildcats at John Euliano Park on Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 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., CPH Ravens vs. Cart N Go Bills; 8:30 a.m., Alaskan Ice Patriots vs. Gravity Roofing Dolphins; 9:20 a.m., Steak n' Shake Steelers vs. Waste Pro Commanders; 9:20 a.m., Del-Air Eagles vs. Card My Yard Packers; AFC 9-to-11 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Steak n' Shake Steelers vs. Culver’s Dolphins; 11 a.m., Alaskan Ice Patriots vs. Cart N Go Bills; 11:50 a.m., Rita’s Jaguars vs. Chopes Ravens; NFC 9-to-11 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Thermotane Propane Giants vs. Versus; 11 a.m., Collis Roofing Panthers vs. Harrell & Beverly 49ers; 11:50 a.m., Jess’s Lemonade Cowboys vs. Climate First Bank Vikings; Powered by: Del - Air 12-14 year olds _ 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Cowboys vs. Del-Air Patriots; 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Jaguars vs. Collis Roofing Colts; 1:30 p.m., Del-Air Lions vs. Del-Air Giants; 1:30 p.m., Del-Air Buccaneers vs. Del-Air Dolphins.
* The Youth Soccer League _ 4-to-6 year olds: 8:30 a.m., Culver's Beehive Ballers vs. Waste Pro Turbo Turtles; 8:30 a.m., Stallion Heating & Air Young Strikers vs. Sanford Elks Lodge 1241 Purple Panthers ; 9:20 a.m., Harrell & Beverly Pink Tigers vs. Cart N Go Krush; 9:20 a.m., Del-Air Fireballs vs. Alaskan Ice Blue Jays; 7-to-8 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Collis Roofing Stingrays vs. Harrell & Beverly Blue Sharks; 10:10 a.m., Steak n' Shake Alpha FC vs. Card My Yard Falcons; 11 a.m., Climate First Bank Blasters vs. Versus Games & Events Wolves; 11 a.m., Gravity Roofing Dolphins vs. Stallion Heating & Air Tornadoes; 11:50 a.m., Rita’s Ruby Raiders vs. Del-Air Lions; 11:50 a.m., Alaskan Ice Black Mambas vs. Cart N Go Krush; 9-to-10 year olds: 12:40 p.m., Alaskan Ice Hornets vs. Del-Air Clutch Cobras; 12:40 p.m., Waste Pro Flamingos vs. Versus Games & Events Lions; 1:30 p.m., Collis Roofing Stingrays vs. Stallion Heating & Air Seminole Strikers.
VALKYRIES SWEPT
Following a sweep over the San Diego Mojo at home, the Valkyries dropped a three-set loss to the Atlanta Vibe Thursday night at Gas South Arena, with set scores of 22-25, 16-25 and 20-25.
Natalie Foster led the way with 15 points, adding four more aces to bring her season total to 41.
Despite Foster’s standout performance, Atlanta’s production from the pins, combined with several extended scoring runs, proved difficult for Orlando to counter.
Atlanta’s Leah Edmond and Aiko Jones combined for 41 points, as the two All-Stars both hit above .350. Edmond finished the match with 22 points, 17 kills, 3 aces and hit .351. Aiko Jones finished the match with 19 points, 14 kills, one ace and hit .371.
The Valkyries (9-11) were unable to flip the script on Tuesday, dropping a three-set contest, 22-25, 15-25, 22-25 to the Columbus Fury (4-14) at Nationwide Arena.
Orlando’s newest All-Star Natalie Foster had another standout performance, leading the team with 11 points, recording eight kills, two service aces and one block. Adanna Rollins Schad, making her Valkyries debut, recorded five digs in limited action.
Up Next:
Five Orlando Valkyries players have been named to play in the 2026 AdventHealth MLV All-Star Match set for Saturday at Addition Financial Arena on the UCF Campus.
In addition to Foster, also named to the 12-player All-Star rosters, which were determined through a combination of voting by MLV fans, coaches, and league officials, were setter Chompoo Guedpard, outside hitter Charitie Luper, middle blocker Kaz Brown, and libero Teodora Pusić. Guedpard and Brown will suit up for Team Launiere, while Luper and Pusić will compete for Team Meske.
Tickets for the MLV All-Star Match are available now at provolleyball.com. The match will be broadcast live on CBS at 12 p.m. (noon).
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., Derby Smashers vs. Gus Bus; 2:50 p.m., Benchwarmers vs. Big Tippers; 3:40 p.m., Island Time vs. Ovo; 4:30 p.m., Island Time vs. Up In The Airs.
In the A-Competitive Division _ at 5:20 p.m., Ball Busters vs. Iron Wall; 6:10 p.m., Setters Alliance vs. Set It Off; 7 p.m., Set It Off vs. Ringers; 7:50 p.m., Volley Vibes vs. Sand & Sweat.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free.
STETSON WOMEN FALL IN WNIT
In a game worthy of postseason play, Stetson and Florida International battled through 45 minutes of back-and-forth action before the Hatters fell 76-73 in overtime Friday night at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in the opening round of the 2026 Postseason WNIT.
Stetson (20-12) and FIU (21-11) combined for nine ties and 11 lead changes in a tightly contested matchup that came down to the final possessions.
The Hatters came out firing, opening the game on an 8-0 run behind early scoring from Cameron Thomas and a three-pointer from Aleah Sorrentino. Stetson controlled the tempo early, but FIU responded late in the first quarter, closing the gap to tie the game at 14-14 heading into the second.
The Panthers gained momentum in the second quarter, building a 10-point lead, but the Hatters answered with an 8-0 run to swing the momentum back. Mary McMillan sparked the surge, helping Stetson chip away at the deficit before the Hatters completed the comeback, entering halftime knotted at 30-30.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with both teams trading baskets and momentum. Stetson found success attacking the paint while also knocking down timely perimeter shots. A clutch three-pointer from McMillan late in the third quarter gave the Hatters a narrow 45-44 edge heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Stetson appeared to seize control. A deep three from Thomas with just over a minute remaining gave the Hatters the lead, and McMillan calmly converted at the free throw line to extend the advantage to 63-58 with 12 seconds left.
But FIU had one final push. Rhema Collins scored five straight points, including a contested three-pointer as time expired, sending the game into overtime at 63-63.
The Hatters responded in the extra period, showing resilience with a 7-0 run capped by another McMillan three to build a 70-65 lead with under three minutes to play. However, FIU answered once again, closing the game on an 11-3 run to escape with the 76-73 victory.
Stetson controlled several key areas throughout the night, outrebounding FIU 39-34 and forcing 22 turnovers that turned into 20 points. The Hatters also generated second-chance opportunities with 14 offensive rebounds, but the Panthers' late execution proved to be the difference.
Key Performers:
* Mary McMillan led all scorers with 25 points, going 8-of-12 from the free throw line while adding three assists.
* Rose Caso finished with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and recorded six steals.
* Cameron Thomas added 14 points and two steals, including a go-ahead three late in regulation.
* Promise Keshi grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds while contributing three assists and two steals.
* Aleah Sorrentino chipped in 12 points to help pace the Hatters offensively.
ORLANDO CITY
Orlando City SC (1-4-0, 3 points) fell 5-0 to Nashville SC (4-0-1, 13 points) in their visit to GEODIS Park on Saturday night.
Goal Highlights:
* 5’ - Cristian Espinoza (Andy Nájar, Edvard Tagseth) – NSH 1, ORL 0.
* 28’ - Sam Surridge (Penalty Kick) – NSH 2, ORL 0.
* 55’ - Sam Surridge – NSH 3, ORL 0.
* 67’ - Sam Surridge (Cristian Espinoza, Jeisson Palacios) – NSH 4, ORL 0.
* 80’ - Warren Madrigal – NSH 5, ORL 0.
Next Match:
Orlando City will not be back in action until next month as the league pauses for a FIFA international window. The Lions will travel to California to take on LAFC at BMO Stadium on Saturday, April 4, at 9:30 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.
