Kentucky Wildcats softball explained

Kentucky Wildcats
Currentseason:2022 Kentucky Wildcats softball team
University:University of Kentucky
Athletic Director:Mitch Barnhart
Conference:Southeastern Conference
Conference Short:SEC
Division:Eastern
City:Lexington
Stateabb:KY
State:Kentucky
Coach:Rachel Lawson
Tenure:16th
Stadium:John Cropp Stadium
Capacity:2,117 [1]
Nickname:Wildcats
Wcws:2014
Super Regional:2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Ncaa Tourneys:2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

The Kentucky Wildcats softball team represents the University of Kentucky in the sport of softball. The Kentucky Wildcats compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Wildcats play their home games at John Cropp Stadium on the university's Lexington, Kentucky campus, and are currently led by head coach Rachel Lawson. In the history of the Wildcats softball program, the team has made appearances in fifteen NCAA Division I Softball Championship, eight Super Regionals, and one Women's College World Series (WCWS).

Head coaches

NameYearsRecord
Beth Pruit1997–2004181–297–1 (52–146 SEC)
Eileen Schmidt2005–200761–108 (12–75 SEC)
Rachel Lawson2008–present495–297 (155–173 SEC)

History

The University of Kentucky softball team had their inaugural season in 1997.[2]

University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart hired Rachel Lawson in July 2007. Since her hire, Lawson has guided UK to eight NCAA Super Regionals including an appearance in the 2014 College World Series, the program's first.

In her fourteen seasons at Kentucky, Lawson has an overall win–loss record of 495–297, making her the winningest head coach in school history and already has more wins in SEC play than UK had total as a program when she took over in 2008. UK also finished 2016 in the top 14 of both collegiate softball rankings for the third time in school history with eleven wins over ranked teams.

Another accomplishment since Lawson's hire in 2008 is the construction of John Cropp Stadium. The facility cost $9.5 million, and debuted for the 2013 season. UK hosted the 2013 SEC Tournament as well as an NCAA regional, another first for the program. Since 2013, UK has hosted an NCAA regional in 2013, 2014, 2016–2019, and 2021.

Year-by-year results

SeasonCoachRecordSEC recordNotes
1997Beth Pruit11–44
1998Beth Pruit19–436–22
1999Beth Pruit23–446–22
2000Beth Pruit36–2915–13
2001Beth Pruit27–3410–18
2002Beth Pruit24–326–21
2003Beth Pruit16–403–26
2004Beth Pruit25–31–16–24
2005Eileen Schmidt20–414–25
2006Eileen Schmidt21–364–26
2007Eileen Schmidt20–314–24
2008Rachel Lawson17–373–25
2009Rachel Lawson34–2313–14NCAA Regional
2010Rachel Lawson32–2713–15NCAA tournament
2011Rachel Lawson40–1614–9NCAA Super Regional
2012Rachel Lawson30–3015–13NCAA tournament
2013Rachel Lawson41–2113–11NCAA Super RegionalHosted SEC Tournament & Regional
2014Rachel Lawson50–1913–11Women's College World SeriesHosted Regional
2015Rachel Lawson32–265–19NCAA Super Regional
2016Rachel Lawson46–1417–7NCAA tournamentHosted Regional
2017Rachel Lawson39–1912–12NCAA Super RegionalHosted Regional
2018Rachel Lawson35–218–15NCAA Super RegionalHosted Regional
2019Rachel Lawson36–2414–10NCAA Super RegionalHosted Regional
2020Rachel Lawson20–42–1Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021Rachel Lawson43–1613–11NCAA Super RegionalHosted Regional
2022Rachel Lawson37-1913-11NCAA Tournament
2023Rachel Lawson33-22-110-14NCAA Tournament
2024Rachel Lawson30-228-16NCAA Tournament
Reference:[3] [4]

All-Americans

PlayerYear(s)TeamOrganizationNotes
Molly Johnson [5] 20092ndLouisville Slugger/NFCA
Kelsey Nunley [6] 20161stNFCA
Katie Reed [7] 20173rdNFCA
Abbey Cheek [8] 20191stNFCAUnanimous

Other Awards

PlayerYear(s)TeamOrganization
Molly Johnson [9] 20102ndSenior CLASS Award
Griffin Joiner [10] 20151stSenior CLASS Award
Kelsey Nunley [11] [12] 20161stSenior CLASS Award, SEC Pitcher of the Year
Abbey Cheek[13] 2019NFCA National Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: UK Athletics John Cropp Stadium. 2 August 2015 .
  2. Web site: UK Athletics. 2 August 2015 .
  3. Web site: UK Athletics More Softball Links. 11 September 2015 .
  4. Web site: UK Athletics Rachel Lawson.
  5. Web site: 2009 DI All American Teams.
  6. Web site: 2016 ALL-AMERICAN AWARDS.
  7. Web site: 2017 ALL-AMERICAN AWARDS.
  8. Web site: 2019 ALL-AMERICAN AWARDS.
  9. Web site: 2010 Senior CLASS Award.
  10. Web site: 2015 Senior CLASS Award.
  11. Web site: 2016 Senior CLASS Award.
  12. Web site: 2016 SEC Softball Awards announced . secsports.com . May 10, 2016 . July 1, 2021.
  13. News: Kentucky's Cheek garners 2019 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division I National Player of the Year honors . nfca.org . June 6, 2019 . May 8, 2021.