Kentucky softball freshman wins New Balance Golden Shoe Award

Kentucky softball signee Chelsea Mack has been awarded the 2022 New Balance Golden Shoe Award.

The honor, awarded to the most prolific base-stealer in high school, goes to an upcoming freshman each year selected by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

The athlete must be awarded All-Region status to be considered for the award.

Chelsea Mack Wins NFCA’s 2022 New Balance Golden Shoe Award#WeAreUK x #BBNhttps://t.co/8aTdLWByBj

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) July 22, 2022

Mack, who earned first-team All-America honors in the outfield, set an Ohio High School state record with 81 stolen bases in 83 attempts this past season

Mack also captured the OHSAA Division 1 batting title in her senior season, batting a stellar .726 with 77 base hits in 106 at-bats.

The two-time NFCA All-American and three-time All-State honoree registered 13 doubles, a triple, and two long balls while scoring 57 times in the 2022 season.

This is not Mack’s first accolade of the year, however, as she was named a Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American earlier this summer. She was also named the Cleveland Softball High School Player of the Year.

Mack was listed as the No. 19 ranked player in the country for the 2023 season, including being ranked the No. 7 outfielder by Extra Innings Softball.

Kentucky softball is coming off of a 37-19 winning season, falling short to Virginia Tech in the NCAA regionals to end the season. Head coach Rachel Lawson will return plenty of talent from that run, too, highlighted by All-Americans Kayla Kowalik and Erin Coffel.

Mack will be in action with the ‘Cats beginning with the upcoming 2023 season.