Molly Johnson-Belcher was UK softball's first All-American and now is the program's first SEC Legend. (UK Athletics Photo)
Until Kayla Kowalik got to Kentucky and became the program’s all-time leaders in hits and runs scored, coach Rachel Lawson always thought Molly Johnson-Belcher was the best player ever at UK.
“Then Kowalik came around and you could arm wrestle to figure out who the greatest player was,” Lawson said.
Johnson-Belcher, UK’s first All-American, was named UK’s 2024 Southeastern Conference Women’s Legend this year. She played at UK from 2007-10 and was part of UK’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009. She left UK as its all-time hits leader and still ranks inside the top 10 at UK in hits, batting average, runs scored, doubles, home runs, at bats, slugging percentage, total bases, stolen bases and fielding percentage.
“I think she by far was the greatest player to play for such a long time and she could do so many different things and with the help of her teammates she really put Kentucky softball on the map,” Lawson said about her former shortstop.
Johnson-Belcher is in her 14th season as Lawson’s assistant at UK. She coaches first base and oversees the UK outfield development.
Johnson-Belcher said it was “kind of a shock” when she found out she was this year’s Legend.
“Having played here it is even cooler to see where this program has gone from the time I played here until now,” the UK assistant coach said. “I think it is a domino effect, so if I am the first one (from UK softball to be named a Legend) over the coming years we will see plenty of other players (also honored).”
Johnson-Belcher thanked her teammates noting “if I don’t have great teammates this does not happen.”
