Home Published Content Contact Sports Photography

The sports stories I published as a student journalist at the University of Central Florida. 

UCF Softball

The Charge •

Kaitlyn Felton throws 25th no-hitter in UCF softball history

Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Felton screamed when she struck out the last batter she faced. The right-hander had just made history, throwing her first career no-hitter, and did so without the help of one of her pregame rituals.UCF softball (9-5-1) hosted the Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-4) and Pittsburgh Panthers (6-6) for a doubleheader on Thursday at the UCF Softball Complex. The Knights swept both teams, and in the process, Felton joined 15 other Knights pitchers in the record books. Felton, the starter i...
The Charge •

UCF softball starters shine in doubleheader sweep

Thanks to a historic no-hitter and a freshman's complete game, UCF softball added two more wins to its season total, beating Quinnipiac 3-0 and Pittsburgh 4-2 in the team's doubleheader on Thursday at the UCF Softball Complex.In game one against Quinnipiac, senior pitcher Kaitlyn Felton tossed the first no-hitter of her career. It was the 25th in program history, which placed her name among a select list of pitchers in the UCF Softball record books. Felton, though, said she didn't even know it w...
NSM Today •

Leading with a loud style: Sarah Willis' journey to UCF

Sarah Willis traveled 3,000 miles to get more opportunities to pitch; in the process, she got the chance to grow into herself."Some people might mistaken her for somebody who is just all about the flash," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But she's one of the hardest workers on the team."
When watching a UCF softball game, it isn't hard to find Sarah Willis. Pitchers usually walk to the center circle before an appearance; Willis dances. Batters typically take their time getting to firs...
NSM Today •

UCF softball no-hits Bethune-Cookman in doubleheader sweep

A finish to a game that started over a month ago and a no-hitter punctuated UCF softball's two-game sweep of the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Wednesday. The UCF Knights (28-18) took two from the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (15-28) in their doubleheader at the UCF Softball Complex, winning game one 9-1 and game two 8-0. 
"Really good to just play free like we did today," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "Our pitchers have been really throwing well, all of them, the last, I would say, two or...
NSM Today •

UCF softball earns tenth straight win with shutout victory over FAU

A 19-year-old broken record and a near no-hitter extended UCF softball's winning streak to 10 against the FAU Owls on Wednesday.The UCF Knights (26-15) allowed just one hit in their 1-0 victory against the FAU Owls (33-12) at the UCF Softball Complex, which featured both starting pitchers going the distance.
"I like these games as a pitcher," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "But then, on the offensive side, I wanted to see us hit the ball a little bit more."The Knights only got four h...
NSM Today •

UCF softball take Ospreys down in doubleheader

A sophomore's gem and a walk-off slam helped UCF softball finish off the UNF Ospreys in a doubleheader on Tuesday.UCF (18-15) won both games in its doubleheader against the UNF Ospreys (23-12) at the UCF Softball Complex on Tuesday. The Knights took game one 11-4, and the Ospreys laid an egg in game two, losing 9-0.
"One is one, that's kind of been our motto these last couple of days," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said. "One pitch, one game, one out, one at-bat, whatever it is and just l...
NSM Today •

UCF softball snaps winless streak in series win over Texas Tech

UCF softball head coach Cindy Ball-Malone captured her 200th program win, and 300th career win over the weekend as the Knights took two from Texas Tech in three games.UCF (16-15) entered Thursday on a seven-game losing streak but turned things around against the Texas Tech Red Raiders (22-10), winning two across their three-game slate from March 28 through March 30.
Thursday's 8-5 UCF win and Ball-Malone's 200th victory at UCF saw the Knights come back from a 4-0 deficit after the first...
NSM Today •

UCF softball outclasses Stetson in mid-week matchup

An immediate offense set the tone, and a duel between former teammates closed out UCF softball's 4-2 win over the Stetson Hatters. The Knights (12-7) handled the Hatters (7-14) at the UCF Softball Complex on Wednesday in what was their last game before Big 12 conference play this weekend against the Kansas Jayhawks (13-5-1).
"I feel like we've been through a lot of adversity," head Cindy Ball-Malone said. "I like how we came out and played a little bit more aggressive, it looked like we...
NSM Today •

UCF softball wins three in the Knights Classic

UCF softball captured three wins over the weekend in the Knights Classic at the UCF Softball Complex, but failed to get its first ranked win.The UCF Knights (11-7) went 3-1 over the weekend, beating the Princeton Tigers 10-2 on Friday and 11-2 on Saturday for the space game. On Sunday UCF beat the Kennesaw State Owls 4-1, and couldn't finish their game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats due to lightning. The Knights took the one loss from the No. 22 South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday, falling...
NSM Today •

UCF softball is off to California to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

It's almost been a week since UCF Softball played its last game and the Knights will see the field again this weekend in California.After inclement weather canceled the team's last three games in Clearwater at the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, the UCF Softball team is well-rested and eager to get back to work heading off to Cathedral City, California to compete in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic from Feb. 22 to Feb. 24 at Big League Dreams Complex."It's always good to be fresh,...
NSM Today •

UCF softball gears up for its first road trip of the season

After starting the season 5-1 at home, the UCF softball team travel to Clearwater, hoping to continue their hot streak at the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational.UCF is slated to play five games at the four-day invitational that is set to host 16 teams and 40 softball games at the Eddie C. Moore Complex from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18. The Knights will take on North Carolina (4-1), Wisconsin (4-2), No. 14 Kentucky (5-1), No. 22 Northwestern (4-1), and No. 19 UCLA (2-3). "Clearwater is always sup...
NSM Today •

UCF softball extinguishes Flames 7-5

Before embarking to Clearwater to compete in the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, UCF softball won its second straight game, beating the Liberty Flames 7-5 on Wednesday."I like how we came out offensively, disciplined, stuck to our plan; two big innings made the difference," head coach Cindy Ball-Malone said.
Decked in the Knights' all-black uniforms with gold pinstripes, junior pitcher Katelyn Felton took the mound at the UCF Softball Complex for her second start. Felton qui...
NSM Today •

UCF softball goes to 2-0 to kick off Black and Gold Classic

UCF softball showed out on "opening knight" on Thursday, outscoring Howard and UConn 19-3 to kick off the Black and Gold Classic with two wins.The Knights captured their first two wins of the season at the UCF Softball complex on Thursday night. They opened with a double-header defeating the Howard Bison 10-2 (5) and then, later that night, the UConn Huskies 9-1 (5).  
"That's amazing for us," senior utility Kennedy Searcy said. "I think we've been working really hard, and we finally see...
NSM Today •

UCF softball prepares to take on the Big 12

The UCF softball team conquered the American Athletic Conference the past two seasons, but a bigger challenge awaits the Knights this season: the Big 12 conference.The 2024 campaign is a big one for the Knights, who will join the Big 12 this season and aim to capture their fourth consecutive 40-win season, a program record. The Big 12 is a big step up from the AAC in terms of competitiveness, as it houses some of the best teams in the nation, including preseason-ranked No. 9 Oklahoma State, No....
NSM Today •

UCF softball hosts second-annual fan fest

The UCF softball team's second-annual fan fest hit it out of the park on Sunday as fans got to meet and hang out with their favorite players.Less than two weeks from the Knights' first game, the team opened up its facilities and hosted fans for numerous activities to usher in the 2024 season. Light showers came down on the UCF Softball Complex early Sunday morning, but the skies cleared up just as the Knights opened the gates. Families then began to file into their seats for the team's first eve...

During the Spring 2024 semester, I served as the UCF Softball beat reporter for The Charge. I was tasked with writing game stories, crafting enterprise story ideas, and interviewing players and coaches. The two articles I’m most proud of are the ones covering the team’s home run chain made of styrofoam and staples, and a player profile on the stylistically loud Sarah Willis.

My trip to Mobile

In January 2025, I drove up to Mobile, Alabama, to cover the Senior Bowl for The Charge. Four UCF players competed in the annual all-star event, including Mac McWilliams, BJ Adams, Kobe Hudson and RJ Harvey. My coverage consisted of live posting the entire week of practices on X, as well as writing two stories and shooting a photo gallery for The Charge's website. 

The Charge •

Four UCF players chase NFL dreams, compete in Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — Four UCF players competed in the Senior Bowl this past week, getting the chance to elevate their stock ahead of the NFL Draft in April.An annual event that invites over 100 highly touted college football players from across the country, the Senior Bowl is a spot for prospects to meet with NFL scouts and front offices. The week-long event includes three days of practice and is capped off by an all-star game between two teams, each led by a staff of NFL coaches.
The four Kni...
The Charge •

Four Knights take charge in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. — Four UCF football players played on the American Team in the Senior Bowl in Mobile at Hancock Whitney Stadium this past week.Among the over 100 participating players split between two rosters and led by NFL coaches — the American and National teams — were Knights’ running back RJ Harvey, wide receiver Kobe Hudson, and cornerbacks BJ Adams and Mac McWilliams.The Senior Bowl has the players train in three two-hour practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It also provides an op...
The Charge •

Former quarterback honors UCF with custom helmet at Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. — While at the Senior Bowl, former UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel went viral on social media when he honored his time as a Knight by wearing a helmet that featured a tribute to the university. Leading up to the final game of his six-year college career, Gabriel decided to wear a custom-made VICIS helmet that featured the logo of every college he played for. It had a dark gray matte finish with a silver feathered Oregon Ducks logo on one side, a glossy red Oklahoma Sooners logo on th...

UCF Men's Basketball

The Charge •

Mr. 1,000: Darius Johnson reaches milestone in UCF's win over Tennessee Tech

From early mornings in his high school gym in Virginia years ago to etching his name in UCF men's basketball history on Tuesday, senior guard Darius Johnson has arrived.With the Knights up nine points with a little over 12 minutes left in UCF's 80-69 win over Tennessee Tech, Johnson shot an open-look three in front of the home bench. The bucket was his sixth point of the night and 1,000th of his career, a feat only 20 Knights have accomplished before him.
"It means a lot," Johnson said....
The Charge •

UCF drops 100 on FAU in 3rd straight win

For the first time in the Johnny Dawkins era, UCF scored 100 points in regulation, outlasting FAU 100-94 Tuesday at Addition Financial Arena.Those 94 points allowed, however, could come at a price.
"Man, we're going to have a long practice, I'm going to tell you that," junior guard Keyshawn Hall said. "We've got to improve a lot, man. Coach Dawkins, his goals is not 94 points. It's definitely like 50 or 40, so just pray for us in practice."Hall led the team in scoring against the Owls wi...

I covered two UCF men’s basketball games during my time as a student journalist. The first was a 100-94 win by the Knights over FAU, the first time they scored 100+ points in regulation during the Johnny Dawkins era. The second was a story highlighting Darius Johnson's career milestone of eclipsing 1,000 career points with UCF. I interviewed Johnson’s high school coach a few hours before tipoff to add some context to the accomplishment for the reader.