With UCF alum Rich Wallace at the helm and 23 newcomers having joined the team, a lot of excitement surrounds Wallace’s 2024 team as the Knights enter their inaugural season of competition in the Big 12 Conference.
“I’m excited to get things going. The guys had a very productive fall with skill development, and I’ve been very encouraged with our efforts so far this spring,” Wallace said. “We’re looking forward to attacking the challenges that this tough schedule will bring us and can’t wait to get the season started.”
UCF finished the 2023 campaign 33-26 overall and 12-12 in its final season of competition in the AAC. The Black and Gold got off to an 8-1 start thanks to an opening sweep over Siena followed by a road sweep at ACC foe Clemson. The Knights also picked up wins over Bethune-Cookman and Georgia Southern during the stretch. The sweep over Clemson marked the first time the Tigers had been swept at home by a non-conference opponent in nearly 40 years.
The Knights also picked up a pair of home midweek wins over No. 21 Florida State, one thanks to a dominant performance on the mound from now junior pitcher Dom Stagliano. UCF later followed that up with a historic night on May 2 when the Black and Gold set the program record for home runs in a single game with eight and the most home runs in a single season with 83 in a 16-10 midweek victory over North Florida. The Knights would go on to belt out a program and AAC record 109 total home runs in 2023.
UCF will open the Wallace era Feb. 16-18 when it welcomes Bryant to town for a three-game series. After a midweek contest at in-state foe Miami, the Knights will then host Samford (Feb. 23-25) followed by three more games at home against South Florida (March 1-3).
After a game at Florida on March 6, the Black and Gold will officially open its first season of Big 12 play at Oklahoma March 8-10. The Knights’ first home league series will come March 15-17 when they welcome Oklahoma State to John Euliano Park. During conference play, UCF will also host Texas Tech (March 28-30), Kansas State (April 5-7), Cincinnati (April 26-28) and Texas (May 10-12).
“The Big 12 is regarded as one of the nation’s toughest baseball conferences and we can’t wait to get things going,” Wallace added. “It will definitely be a grind, but something that we welcome and will be prepared for. We can’t wait to begin Big 12 play next month.”
RETURNING KNIGHTS
A total of four Knights earned all-conference accolades a season ago. Of the group, UCF welcomes back reigning first team performer Andrew Sundean (junior catcher). A year ago, Sundean was one of the team’s top hitters by batting .340 with 16 home runs, 10 doubles and 54 RBIs. Sundean was recently named to D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 50 Catchers List, as he checks in at No. 25. After also hitting out 16 homers in 2023, fellow UCF bash bro Lex Boedicker (junior infielder) also returns for the Black & Gold this season (.266, 10 2Bs, 46 RBIs), as well as senior infielder Andrew Brait (.286, 20 extra-base hits, 38 RBIs, 5 SB).
On the mound, the Knights welcome back returning starter Stagliano (4-5, 6.54 ERA, 70 SO) as well as top bullpen arms Najer Victor (3-1, 2.88 ERA, 1 SV, 50 SO) and Kyle Kramer (6-2, 3.96 ERA, 8 SV, 60 SO). After tossing 14 no-hit innings and 12 scoreless outings in 2023, Victor as recently tabbed No. 19 on D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 50 Relief Pitchers List, while Kramer will enter the season tied for sixth all-time in saves with 14 after two seasons at UCF. A number of other key contributors from the pen are also back this year in Chase Centala (RHP), Nick Vieira (RHP), Dominic Castellano (LHP), Cameron Crain (RHP), along with senior starter/reliever Ben Vespi (RHP).
NEW KNIGHTS
Of the newcomers, sixth-year transfer Jack Zyska (OF from Notre Dame) is one of the squad’s top newcomer as he brings a wealth of experience to the team after helping lead the Irish to the College World Series in 2022 and multiple NCAA postseason appearances. Zyska is one of four team captains this season, as fellow seniors Brait, Kramer and Victor were all named captains by their teammates. Also joining UCF from Notre Dame this spring is senior catcher Danny Neri. In all, 17 of the 23 newcomers are transfers and 12 of the 17 have prior Power Five playing experience. Of the group, senior infielder Mikey Kluska and junior RHP Grant Siegel have played in the Big 12 Conference, as they both previously played at West Virginia. Big things are also expected from junior outfielder Andrew Prevesk (transfer from Florida) and sophomore utility AJ Nessler (transfer from Pitt) as well as several others.
On the mound, transfers Tyler Nesbitt (RHP from Florida) and Cade Boxrucker (RHP from Campbell) are both anticipated to see time in the starting rotation for the Knights. Alex Galvan (RHP from Louisville), Spencer Bauer (RHP from Elon) and Wiley Hartley (RHP from Campbell) are also expected to play key roles for the Knights on the bump.
Outfielder Andrew Williamson (St. Petersburg, Fla.) looks to be one of the top freshmen on the position player side, while right-handed pitchers Tyler Kozera (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Joey Wimpelberg (Winter Springs, Fla.) have shown promise on the mound.
A BRIEF HISTORY
In the program’s history, the Knights have won 12 conference championships and made 12 NCAA Regional appearances with the last coming in 2017. Under Wallace, the Black and Gold will look to return to the postseason as he played in three regionals as a player at UCF (2000, 2001, 2002) and another as an assistant coach in 2004.
