Courtney Norwood knew almost immediately that UK was the right school for her. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky softball has had losing record in Southeastern Conference play the last three years but that had no impact on South Warren junior pitcher Courtney Norwood when she was ready to make her college choice.
Norwood didn’t need a lengthy recruiting process to make a decision. She was ready after one text message from UK coach Rachel Lawson and one on-campus visit.
“When I was there on my visit, I just fell in love with the team and the great chemistry everyone had,” said Norwood. “I knew UK was where I wanted to be and I wasn’t worried about what happened in past seasons. I believe in coach Lawson and the program.
“I also want to major in communications disorders and be a speech pathologist. Not many schools have that major, but Kentucky does. It was just like an omen or something and it will be nice to play in my home state. I did have my options open but after that very first text from coach Lawson, I knew I loved Kentucky. I think she (Lawson) was actually kind of shocked I was not going to take any other visits, but I just knew I wanted to be at Kentucky.”
Five of Norwood’s high school teammates had already committed to play Division I softball, including McLaine Hudson who will head to Kentucky after graduation in the spring. She’s been a fixture for USA softball, was named Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year after hitting .619 last season and is already the state’s all-time leading hits leaders with another season still to play.
Norwood said all her teammates helped her at times during the recruiting process but that she “leaned on” Hudson because she was committed to UK.
“I would ask about UK, the individual players, the environment,” Norwood said.
Her travel ball teammate, Amy Newman of Daviess County, also will play at Kentucky and was a source of information/help.
“Amy would text some of the coaches and just ask about who they are recruiting,” Norwood said. “I would just ask them (Hudson and Newman) questions about what I need to do to get recruited.”
Norwood finished 18-3 last season, posting a 0.93 ERA with 160 strikeouts in 97⅓ innings of work. She was 16-3 in 2024 with a 1.36 ERA in 98 innings when she had 139 strikeouts in 98 innings.
“I started playing travel ball when I was 5 or 6 years old,” Norwood said. “I was mainly just a pitcher in travel ball and we played a high level schedule. I started having good success against girls that were already committed to Division I schools and I was doing well against ones even committed to SEC schools.”
Norwood normally produces a lot of ground balls and strikeouts on the mound.
“I have decently good spin on my pitches. I also am lucky to have a good connection with my catchers,” Norwood said. “I feel I can throw all my pitches for strikes which helps. I have four or five solid pitches and my best pitch just depends on the day. I use my changeup a lot, especially with two strikes, to keep hitters off balance. I use my rise and curve as needed.”
With six future Division I players, Norwood knows South Warren’s 2026 goal has to be winning that elusive state championship.
“Everyone has good or bad days, but we really believe we have a good shot to make it state and then win,” Norwood said. “Our goal every year is to win district, region and state. Obviously, winning state is the end goal.
“For me, I feel like making my college choice has already lifted a weight off my shoulders. I know where I’m going to college, but now I want to work harder because I want to get better and also win state.”
Norwood said her talented teammates are “happy for each other” when anyone has success and that helps the team succeed.
“We are all great friends outside of high school ball. We go to Bible study together. We hype each other up,” she said. “Softball is pretty much what I do. Sometimes to relax I like to watch football with my family and just hang out. But I love softball and Kentucky is where I always wanted to play.”
