Win Now: Rachel Lawson making changes to Kentucky Softball in 2025

It may still be frigid in the Commonwealth, but Kentucky softball season is here. Ahead of this weekend’s season-opener, Rachel Lawson provided a preview of what her team is bringing to the Bluegrass at Kentucky softball media day.

Lawson Excited for New Start

After disappointing finishes the last two seasons for the Kentucky softball program, Coach Lawson is excited for this new team to get back to their winning ways. At Kroger Field on Tuesday, Lawson spoke with the media on her expectations for the upcoming season, impact players, and the future of the program.

Last season, Kentucky ended the season with a 31-24 (8-16 SEC) overall record. The ‘Cats got off to a solid start but struggled against SEC opponents. They lost in the opening round of the SEC Tournament and did not advance past the regional round of the NCAA Tournament. With a brand new team this season, Lawson expects better results this time around.

When asked about whether an SEC championship was a realistic goal for the team, Lawson responded, “I think this team is actually going to be better than last year’s team, even though we don’t know anybody and we’re not returning many. I actually think this team is going to be very good, and I think somebody is going to be surprised. So, either I am going to be very surprised or the rest of the country is going to be very surprised”.

Lawson is no stranger to winning, making postseason appearances for the last 16 years with eight super-regional finishes. The long-time head coach of the program acknowledged the struggles in recent years, adding the expectation is to get back to who Kentucky used to be.

“The expectation is to win, and to win now. I’m focusing on what it takes to get back to the blue-collar mentality, true blue, and we’re going to win,” Lawson said.

A New Mindset for Lawson

Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC presents a whole new challenge to an already daunting conference. Lawson understands the talent both programs bring to the league and how they have used NIL to become even better in recent years.

Lawson is less worried about playing either team and more worried about the future of college softball and her own program. She was choked up while speaking on this topic, adding her own downfalls as a coach adapting to the new world of collegiate sports.

“I had to change. I had to figure out, number one, that my loyalty is to the Big Blue Nation, my loyalty is to the University of Kentucky, and I have to make sure that I set the standards at this level. Any player that wants to live up to that standard is great, but there were players that I was allowing to live under the standard,” said Lawson.

The new transfers and plethora of freshmen on the roster were no mistake. Lawson knows that to keep up with the best teams, she has to bring in new talent. She is hoping her new mindset in recruiting players that want to win will pay off this season.

Players to Watch This Season

Lawson’s expectations come largely from her new and improved pitching rotation as well as a more well-rounded lineup. The loss of Stephanie Schoonover, star pitcher, and Erin Coffel, a 4x All-SEC performer and NFCA All-American, left room for former players to step up and new players to fill their roles.

The pitching rotation should be more balanced this year with transfer Sarah Haendiges and returners, Sydney Langdon and Alexia Lacatena, bringing experience to that position. Freshmen pitchers Julie Kelley and Carson Fall will be utilized as well, according to Lawson.

Working with the pitchers behind the mound will be seniors Hallie Mitchell and Ella Emmert, both of whom were voted captains this season by their teammates. Lawson expects both to play regularly and have huge impacts on the entire team, on and off the field.

“It’s an honor. I think it’s really cool when other teammates can look at you and put you under that role, so it’s something I don’t take lightly and don’t think any of us [captains] take lightly,” said Mitchell at media day.

First baseman Lauryn Borzilleri and third baseman McKenzie Bump will be anchoring the infield for Kentucky. Borzilleri played in all but two games last season, with only two errors in the field and a .342 OBP at the plate. Bump, a transfer from Ohio State, not only has a .300 career batting average but also the most competitive player on the field, per Lawson.

When asked how she can fit in to this team, Bump said, “I think, obviously, just my experience is very helpful. I think the freshmen really look up to me even though, me being new, nobody made me feel that way, they took me in as their own right from the start. My competitive nature and knowing the game already going through it.”

Kentucky Season Opener

Kentucky will open up the season this Friday, February 7th at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic against Pittsburgh (10 a.m EST). The Wildcats will face five opponents, concluding the weekend against 8th-ranked Duke. Kentucky’s first home game of the 2025 season will be against Missouri on March 7th (6:30 p.m. EST) at John Cropp Stadium.