Vicky Graff Photo
Two-time All-American shortstop Erin Coffel has already been a terror for opposing teams and could be set to put up historic numbers for UK softball this season.
In 169 career games, she has 55 home runs, 179 RBI’s, 184 hits, 151 runs scored, 29 doubles, 108 walks and a slugging percentage off .762 going into her senior season.
Her slugging percentage currently is No. 1 on UK’s all-time list and way above the .678 mark of No. 2 Abby Cheek. Her 55 homers are only six behind Cheek, the all-time leader, and she’s also only 24 RBI’s from moving past Cheek into the No. 1 spot on that list.
“I actually think she is a lot better than she was at the end of last year,” Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson said. “She can hit the ball in more zones. She is doing a great job barreling up on the ball and has tightened up holes in her swing.”
Coffel walked 64 times last season, the top mark in the nation, when she hit a career-high .440 with a slugging percentage of .976 and scored 60 runs.
“It comes down to who we have behind her (in the batting order) to protect her,” Lawson said. “I think our lineup will be a lot better despite losing a generational talent like (Kayla) Kowalik who was so great in the leadoff spot.
“But we have got to have somebody who if teams walk Erin has the ability to make you pay. She walked a lot last year because she is so good but it was also telling that teams were not scared of who was hitting behind her.”
Lawson knows this is the time for Coffel to show she’s still got more left in her game to showcase.
“Her shortstop play is outstanding. The game looks so slow to her now. She just looks great. She’s always been good but this year she’s looking even better,” Lawson said. “Erin to me has to be noticed as one of the very best players in the country.”
