ORLANDO – UCF Softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone and staff added to their roster on Tuesday, announcing the addition of five incoming freshman to this year’s signing class.

“We are very excited to bring in such a strong class this year,” said Ball-Malone. “They have a lot of great experience and great talent. This class includes a good mix of power and speed, one of the best arms in the nation, and they all come from very strong programs. They are high-character kids with high softball IQs.”

The Knights will add a well-rounded group in this year’s signing class as they bring on two catchers/infielders, a pitcher, and two infielders. The class features athletes hailing from California, Florida, and Georgia.

Micaela “Lala” Macario | 5’6 | IF | L/R | Chula Vista, Calif.

Attends Bonita Vista High School
Was also a track and field athlete, participating in the 4x100m, 100m, and Long Jump
Named school varsity MVP and Metromesa All-League Team in her sophomore season
Named school varsity Best Defensive Player and Metromesa All-League Team in her freshman season
Played for the California Cruisers club team
Intends to major in Health Sciences

Why UCF…
“I chose UCF because of how well-rounded the university is academically, athletically, and culturally. The support from UCF facilities and amazing coaching staff will not only help me grow as a student-athlete, but also as a person.”

Ball-Malone on Macario…
“Lala is exciting as a middle infielder that is a lefty hitter and has speed. She is the quiet thunder because you see her, and you think she looks like an athlete, and altough she is not overpowering with size, she can hang with the big hitters when she needs too. She is definitely a five-tool player.”

Carson Frier | 5’6 | C/IF | R/R | Live Oak, Fla.

Attends Suwannee High School
Played club for the Gold Coast Hurricanes that were the USSSA elite select world fast pitch champions and the 16U Junior Olympic cup softball runner ups in 2020
Member of school’s varsity soccer team where she scored 23 goals and was offensive MVP, overall MVP and made First Team All-State
Broke school record in weightlifting for clean and jerk and total in the 154-weight class
Member of school’s golf team where she won three golf matches
Member of school’s volleyball team where she was the junior volleyball offensive MVP
Intends to major in Business Finance and Marketing

Why UCF…
“I choose UCF because I love the coaching staff, love the distance from home, and how amazing all the sports teams are.”

Ball-Malone on Frier…
“Carson is going to bring a lot of versatility to the team. She is going to help a lot behind the plate. With 56 plus games in a season and such a large pitching staff, we need some good catchers to help us out behind the plate. Carson is a great teammate and comes from an awesome pedigree, so we are looking to really see her bring that to our program.”

Kaitlyn Felton | 5’8 | RHP | Valrico, Fla.

Attends Newsome High School
Led her high school team to a state runner up finish in her sophomore season
Was Second Team All-Conference her freshman year
Played for the Tampa Mustangs and NJ Intensity KOD Premier club softball teams
Intends to Major in Health Sciences

Why UCF…
“I love the coaching staff and the high expectations that they set for their players and strive to achieve everyday, both on and off the field.”

Ball-Malone on Felton…
“Kaitlyn is one of the best arms in the nation coming out of this year’s class. She has won a PGF National Championship and has continued to put her teams in strong positions to compete at the highest level. I am really excited for what she is going to bring and add to our pitching staff and I expect her to step in and compete for innings right away.”

Ashleigh Griffin | 5’7 | C/IF | R/R | Newnan, Ga.

Attends East Coweta High School
Hit .547 with 54 RBI and 8 home runs in her junior season
Won three state championships with her high school team
Named to the senior All-Star team
Named Fist Team All-State her junior year
Played for the Georgia Impact club softball team
Intends to major in Exercise Science

Ball-Malone on Griffin…
“Another catcher/corner that comes from a strong program in Georgia Impact. She is a winner. She has been on winning teams and played with some of the best players in the state of Georgia. She is highly competitive and brings a big bat to this class.”

Savannah Adams | 5’8 | 1B | R/R | La Mirada, Calif.

Attends La Mirada High School
Named Suburban First Team All-League her sophomore season
Earned 2019 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors
Named San Gabriel Valley Softball All-Star (Platinum) her sophomore year
Won two league championships with her high school softball team
Played for the Corona Angels club team
Intends to major in Forensic Science

Why UCF…
“I chose UCF to continue my softball career because it felt like a home away from home. It was always my dream to play D1 softball at a competitive level, surrounded by a great coaching staff.”

Ball-Malone on Adams…
“Savannah plays for one of the top organizations that just graduates well-known players that compete at the highest level in college in the Corona Angels, led by Marty Tyson. So, I am excited to see what she brings to our program, as far as the experience she brings. To bring that, along with the knowledge and big-game experience is going to be really important for us.”

FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS
Stay tuned to UCF Softball on Facebook (/UCFSoftball), Twitter (@UCF_Softball) and Instagram (@UCF.Softball) for the latest on the UCF softball team.