Kentucky
Kentucky Softball Preview: Look Ahead to the Defense
Kentucky Softball has some major weapons back on defense but also lost a huge piece of the puzzle in the off-season.
The 2024 season starts up in less than a week. Friday, February 9 is the big day when the Wildcats will show what they are made of. Kentucky will play five games in three days in San Diego, including three ranked matchups. The team has some defensive position question marks heading into opening day.
The ‘Cats lost star catcher Kayla Kowalik after last season. Kowalik held down home plate for Kentucky over her five-year career in the blue and white. The left-handed slapper was a force to be reckoned with on offense and defense. As a catcher, she could throw a batter attempting to steal first out from 84 feet away.
With Kowalik gone, the catching position for the ‘Cats has extremely high expectations. The next catcher will most likely be junior Illinois native Hallie Mitchell. The ambidextrous junior has already had some chances behind the plate, but very little compared to her predecessor.
Although Mitchell is most likely to take on the role, time will tell who will be able to step up to the plate. The catching position remains the biggest question mark for the team with a new season coming up. As for the rest of the defense, the team brings back familiar faces.
Familiar Faces
Kentucky’s infield is full of returning players. Last season all of these returners started at their respective positions and kept getting better so hopefully that trend will continue into this upcoming year.
At first base, Meeko Harrison returns. Harrison, now in her final season with Kentucky, has started as the first baseman for the ‘Cats for the past few years. Harrison’s long frame and wide stride make it easy for her to reach those throws that may not make it all the way.
Coming back at second is junior Margaret Tobias. Tobias, who is a slapper on offense but throws out batters with her right hand on defense, has been a constant help. With 86 total putouts and a fielding percentage of .975 last season, Tobias has continued to improve her stats over the two seasons that she has been a Wildcat.
Another familiar face will be found at third base. Grace Lorsung, who transferred to Kentucky from Indiana State in 2023, started at third for the ‘Cats last season. After being voted to the First-Team All-Big Ten team in 2022 it was a fairly easy transition for the former Sycamore. The transition was easier for Lorsung since she would be joining childhood friend Erin Coffel.
Last but definitely not least at shortstop is Erin Coffel. Coffel has been a star before she even stepped foot onto Kentucky’s campus. Out of high school, she was ranked No. 7 nationally and was one of the highest recruits that the ‘Cats had ever received. Coming into her final season as a Wildcat, Coffel has a putout average of 72 over her three previous seasons. The Indiana native’s average fielding percentage over three seasons is .937. It is safe to say that Coffel has the highest expectations out of all of Kentucky’s defenders, but that is what comes with the territory of being great.
Outfield Friendlies
Center field is arguably the hardest outfield position to play. Senior Wildcat Vanessa Nesby made it look easy last season. Nesby, who hails from California, has been one of the top, if not the top, outfield players on the team since she has been at Kentucky. Her numbers have improved each season and nothing less is expected from her this season.
Taylor Ebbs, a junior who exploded on the field last season could be found in right field this year. Not only was Ebbs a beast with her bat last season, but she also had some huge catches in the outfield to save the game for the Wildcats. Ebbs fielding percentage increased from .953 to .975 between her first and second seasons, and should continue to improve as she competes this season.
Left field has been questionable for the ‘Cats over the last few seasons. Fifth year Rylea Smith returns to wear the blue and white one more time. Smith has played left field for the team, but redshirt sophomore Jenna Blanton also jumped in on various occasions. Although both Smith and Blanton have experience in the position, there is a new name that has been brought to the table.
Delani Sullivan, a freshman from Georgetown, Kentucky, might see some time in left field. Sullivan has a strong connection to the team as her sister Kennedy Sullivan played for the ‘Cats last season. The left-handed slapper was named First-Team All-State for Kentucky in 2021 and her last name alone holds weight in the program already.
It will be interesting to see who is in the position on opening day. After watching the past few seasons, one of the returning players will most likely start, but only time will tell who will secure the spot.
Overall, the team’s defensive core remains strong. Coffel alone will be a star but now that some of the other players are getting in their third and fourth years, this could turn out to be a big season for the Wildcats. It could also be a scary season for opponents.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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