Kayla Kowalik, right, is UK's all-time hits leader. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky not only has two of the best softball players in the Southeastern Conference, it has two of the best players in the nation. Junior shortstop Erin Coffel and senior catcher Kayla Kowalik are two of 25 finalists for the USA Softball National Player of the Year.
The list will be narrowed to 10 on May 3 and narrowed to a top three on May 17. The winner will be announced before the College World Series June 1-9 in Oklahoma City.
Coffel leads the nation in walks with 47 and and with a team-high 15 homers this season she is now second on UK’s all-time home run list with 51 — 10 behind all-time leader Abby Cheek. Coffel is hitting .424 this year and has driven in 48 runs despite being pitched around numerous times.
“She is definitely an All-American. She has been struggling some lately with getting walked so much but she is a great, great hitter,” Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson said. “When she does get pitched too lately, she has been a little late (swinging). It’s something she has to adjust to and she will. That’s the kind of player she is.”
Kowalik, a fifth-year senior, is one of the country’s best hitters. She is hitting .440 this year with 59 hits. Earlier this week she was the eighth overall pick in the WPB draft.
Kowalik has 15 RBI’s, 10 extra base hits and 19 walks. She became UK’s all-time hits leader last season and continues to add to her total with every hit.
“For her to hit .440 with the schedule we have played shows she truly is one of the nation’s best hitters,” Lawson said. “Kayla is arguably one of the best players in the country. She is incredible and alway has been.
“The thing that makes Kayla so special is that she is consistent. It doesn’t matter what game it is, she always comes with the same mindset, tries to figure things out and just competes. She is an exceptional athlete and a great hitter.”
Kentucky hosts No. 11 Arkansas this weekend.
