This season, Junior Cameron Ponich has a new role on the University of North Florida softball team as the team’s starting pitcher. 

With the Osprey’s 12-game winning streak, the Colorado native is having her most successful season yet.

Presence and Preparation

With an ERA of 0.77 in 63.2 innings, the best on the team, Ponich has had a large influence on the team’s seasonal success. 

Right-handed pitcher Ponich didn’t give up a run in her first 17 innings pitched, including throwing a complete game shutout against Iona on Feb. 13. 

She attributed this success to overcoming the doubts she had last season.

“I feel like a lot of this [improvement] has to do with my mentality,” Ponich said. “I’m not so much scared of failing this year as I was last year.”

In the past, Ponich would be frustrated whenever she was removed from a game but reportedly, has grown to trust the next pitcher.

“Part of pitching is mental toughness,” Ponich stated. 

Her mental toughness is paying off: Ponich won ASUN pitcher of the week twice in February, underscoring the magnitude of her early-season triumphs. 

“Not only does it show my success, but I feel like it also shows my team’s success because defense is a huge part of pitching and [my fielders] give me the ability to do that good,” Ponich said.

This breakout year comes after the departure of multiple key pitchers from last season’s ASUN Championship team, including two-way player Allsion Benning, Kylah Berry, and Ashley Connor. 

Knowing this and wanting to practice pitching frequently, Ponich participated in the Florida Gulf Coast Summer League, playing five games a week and pitching over 70 innings.

“I really think that helped me understand what it’s like to pitch a lot and understand what it’s like to play against good people because there were great players in that league,” Ponich said. 

In 2025, Ponich threw just 35 innings on the season. This year, she’s almost doubled her innings before conference play has even begun. 

Team Success and Reflection

While Ponich has proved to be a standout player, Ponich attributes the team’s success to their closeness as a group. 

“We rely on each other to pick each other up,” Ponich said. “And I think it really helps us. I know that I trust my team fully whenever I’m out there pitching.”

Ponich mentioned third baseman Hannah Davila as a teammate she feels she can rely upon during play. 

“Whenever I’m trying to calm down on the field, I always try to listen for her because I feel like she kind of knows what to say,” Ponich said.

Ponich also referred to her catcher, Caiden Oliva, who keeps her steady during uncertain game moments.

“She grounds me a lot,” Ponich said. “If I’m getting behind in a count, she’s like ‘You got this, calm down.”

According to Ponich, the most rewarding part of her time at UNF has been the team’s regional appearance last season.

“Just being able to see what it’s like to be in regionals and be a part of a team that was that successful,” Ponich said. “I hope to get there this year, too, and have that same, rewarding feeling.”

Heading into conference play, Ponich said the team treats it like a new season.

“I’m just going to try to keep doing what I’m doing and ride the wave of success that I’m on right now,” Ponich said. “I hope to carry that into conference [play].”

Ponich and the UNF softball team begin ASUN play this weekend, facing off against Stetson in a three-game series in DeLand, Florida. First pitch is at 6 p.m. on March 13. 

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