McKenzie Bump Always Wanted to Play in SEC for Rachel Lawson

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Ohio State transfer McKenzie Bump provided the left-handed hitter Kentucky has needed at the top of the lineup. (UK Athletics Photo)

As soon as McKenzie Bump went into the transfer portal, Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson knew she could be just what her team needed.

“We needed a left-handed hitter and top of the (batting) order hitter,” said Lawson. “We have good power but we needed help at the top of the order. Finding a successor to (UK all-time hits leader) Kayla (Kowalik) has not been easy to do. She (Bump) is a very steady and great situational hitter. She has also embraced being a Wildcats, which I love.”

Bump had a successful four years at Ohio State. Last year she hit .336 with five home runs, six doubles and 24 runs scored. She also was 7-for-7 on stolen bases.

“I am very competitive. It definitely comes out even sometimes when I try to hide it. I have a lot of siblings so my whole life has been competing to try to win. And when I don’t, I’m not always the best loser,” Bump said.

Bump had always respected Lawson after playing against Kentucky and also wanted to play in the Southeastern Conference, a much more competitive conference than the Big Ten.

“To compete against the best of the best is what I always wanted to do,” Bump said. “Coach Lawson has really helped my mental game and I have never had a coach believe in me like she does. She believes in me more than I believe in myself.

“I think that that’s something that really stands out for me. I like the confidence she puts into me that I can’t put into myself. When you’ve got a head coach like coach Lawson,  it’s hard not to be fearless.”

Kentucky has a relatively young, inexperienced team to battle talented SEC teams and that’s why Bump’s experience appealed so much to the Kentucky coach.

“She  is very, very good at building people and building their talent. She also makes us work super hard, which I have really valued as well,” Bump, who went 3-for-3 and drove in a run in her first SEC game, said.

Bump believes the overall competitiveness on the team has benefitted UK already and will keep doing so.

“I think that we push each other even outside of softball,” Bump said. “The more you know that teammates have your back, the better the team is. We all have a really strong bond outside of softball. We’re always joking around and just enjoy the game.

“I think my experience is very helpful. I think that the freshmen really look up to me, even though me being new  they took me in as their own right from the start, which I really appreciated.”

Bump was at the softball media day in February when an emotional Lawson admitted she had to not be so loyal to veteran players and embrace the transfer portal and more roster turnover each year to stay competitive.

“I think that coach Lawson is a winner. I’ve always looked up to her. I remember in sixth grade, I was like, ‘That woman is amazing.’  To play for her now was literally my dream,” Bump said. “I see her every single day in practice and she’ll do anything to win. Doesn’t matter what it takes, and she pushes everyone to come with her. That’s one thing that I really value in her.”

Kentucky started SEC play with a sweep over Missouri but lost three games at LSU last weekend.

Bump is hitting .320 after starting 25 games. She has scored 17 runs, knocked in six runs and stolen five bases going into today’s game against Dayton.

“The Big 10 was always  super special to me, but my biggest dream ever was to play for the SEC and for coach Lawson to give me that chance was everything I could ask for,” Bump  said. “I am so excited to see what lies ahead for me and our team.”

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