Kentucky Softball Preview: Look Ahead to the Defense

Kentucky Softball has some major weapons back on defense but also lost a huge piece of the puzzle in the off-season.

The 2024 season starts up in less than a week. Friday, February 9 is the big day when the Wildcats will show what they are made of. Kentucky will play five games in three days in San Diego, including three ranked matchups. The team has some defensive position question marks heading into opening day.

The ‘Cats lost star catcher Kayla Kowalik after last season. Kowalik held down home plate for Kentucky over her five-year career in the blue and white. The left-handed slapper was a force to be reckoned with on offense and defense. As a catcher, she could throw a batter attempting to steal first out from 84 feet away.

With Kowalik gone, the catching position for the ‘Cats has extremely high expectations. The next catcher will most likely be junior Illinois native Hallie Mitchell. The ambidextrous junior has already had some chances behind the plate, but very little compared to her predecessor.

Although Mitchell is most likely to take on the role, time will tell who will be able to step up to the plate. The catching position remains the biggest question mark for the team with a new season coming up. As for the rest of the defense, the team brings back familiar faces.

Familiar Faces

Kentucky’s infield is full of returning players. Last season all of these returners started at their respective positions and kept getting better so hopefully that trend will continue into this upcoming year.

At first base, Meeko Harrison returns. Harrison, now in her final season with Kentucky, has started as the first baseman for the ‘Cats for the past few years. Harrison’s long frame and wide stride make it easy for her to reach those throws that may not make it all the way.

Coming back at second is junior Margaret Tobias. Tobias, who is a slapper on offense but throws out batters with her right hand on defense, has been a constant help. With 86 total putouts and a fielding percentage of .975 last season, Tobias has continued to improve her stats over the two seasons that she has been a Wildcat.

Another familiar face will be found at third base. Grace Lorsung, who transferred to Kentucky from Indiana State in 2023, started at third for the ‘Cats last season. After being voted to the First-Team All-Big Ten team in 2022 it was a fairly easy transition for the former Sycamore. The transition was easier for Lorsung since she would be joining childhood friend Erin Coffel.

Last but definitely not least at shortstop is Erin Coffel. Coffel has been a star before she even stepped foot onto Kentucky’s campus. Out of high school, she was ranked No. 7 nationally and was one of the highest recruits that the ‘Cats had ever received. Coming into her final season as a Wildcat, Coffel has a putout average of 72 over her three previous seasons. The Indiana native’s average fielding percentage over three seasons is .937. It is safe to say that Coffel has the highest expectations out of all of Kentucky’s defenders, but that is what comes with the territory of being great.

Outfield Friendlies

Center field is arguably the hardest outfield position to play. Senior Wildcat Vanessa Nesby made it look easy last season. Nesby, who hails from California, has been one of the top, if not the top, outfield players on the team since she has been at Kentucky. Her numbers have improved each season and nothing less is expected from her this season.

Taylor Ebbs, a junior who exploded on the field last season could be found in right field this year. Not only was Ebbs a beast with her bat last season, but she also had some huge catches in the outfield to save the game for the Wildcats. Ebbs fielding percentage increased from .953 to .975 between her first and second seasons, and should continue to improve as she competes this season.

Left field has been questionable for the ‘Cats over the last few seasons. Fifth year Rylea Smith returns to wear the blue and white one more time. Smith has played left field for the team, but redshirt sophomore Jenna Blanton also jumped in on various occasions. Although both Smith and Blanton have experience in the position, there is a new name that has been brought to the table.

Delani Sullivan, a freshman from Georgetown, Kentucky, might see some time in left field. Sullivan has a strong connection to the team as her sister Kennedy Sullivan played for the ‘Cats last season. The left-handed slapper was named First-Team All-State for Kentucky in 2021 and her last name alone holds weight in the program already.

It will be interesting to see who is in the position on opening day. After watching the past few seasons, one of the returning players will most likely start, but only time will tell who will secure the spot.

Overall, the team’s defensive core remains strong. Coffel alone will be a star but now that some of the other players are getting in their third and fourth years, this could turn out to be a big season for the Wildcats. It could also be a scary season for opponents.