Erin Coffel tabbed as 6th NFCA All-American in Kentucky Softball history

For the second consecutive season and just the sixth time in program history, Kentucky Softball has produced an NFCA All-American.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Wildcats’ sophomore shortstop, Erin Coffel, was named an All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association. The Bremen, IN native is the third All-American shortstop coached by head coach Rachel Lawson at UK, joining former ‘Cats Molly Belcher and Katie Reed. In 2021, Kentucky catcher Kayla Kowalik was tabbed as the program’s fifth NFCA All-American.

Coffel’s name will be permanently enshrined on the All-American boards at John Cropp Stadium.

She’ll be adding her name to that board for 2023!!

Congrats, ⁦@erincoffel5⁩!! 🎉🏆🥎🔥 pic.twitter.com/IYw0zh8AiT

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) June 2, 2022

To follow up a sensational rookie season in 2021 that saw her make Second Team All-SEC, Coffel was even better as a sophomore. She finished 2022 with a batting average of .423 to go along with her 20 home runs and 68 RBI, which set a new single-season record for most RBI in school history. Coffel also led Kentucky with 32 extra-base hits, which included 11 doubles and one triple in addition to the 20 dingers. She even stole six bases.

Coffel was the engine behind the best statistical offensive season in Kentucky Softball history. She competed in all 56 games for the ‘Cats and was named to First Team All-SEC for her impressive season-long efforts. Coffel is a finalist for the USA Softball National Player of the Year, which is down to just 25 candidates.

Kentucky Softball’s NFCA All-Americans

2009 – Molly Johnson (Belcher)
2016 – Kelsey Nunley Moore *
2017 – Katie Reed
2019 – Abbey Cheek *^
2021 – Kayla Kowalik *^
2022 – Erin Coffel 

* First Team selection
^ Unanimous selection