Hello HOB. Today was media day for UK Softball. Rachel Lawson spoke with the local media about expectations for the 2024 season as the Cats prepare to open on Feb. 9 with a big multi-team event in San Diego. We'll let news and notes from today's event begin our season thread here on the HOB...
KENTUCKY SOFTBALL HC RACHEL LAWSON:
* Some big rule changes in college softball this year. Pitch communication devices from dugout to pitcher, a pitch clock has been added for select NC games and SEC games, all OF walls must be 200 feet or more. Doesn't affect UK's stadium but will be changes for some SEC parks. Also, runners leaving base early can be challenged now.
* Got some new unis coming this year, pinstripes. Wasn't sure she was supposed to let that cat out of the bag yet.
* Big theme throughout the coaching staff and players this off-season is to "level up." Never going to be satisfied unless you're standing in Oklahoma City.
* We have great balance this season. Returning a lot of good players. Freshman class is elite, and Vickers from the transfer portal is kind of the "missing piece" in the circle.
* On the pitch clock... Big fan. Sport of softball is awesome on TV. It's essential that we keep the game moving, close or under 2 hours.
* Interesting note on pitch calling... Schoonover is very comfortable with Lawson calling her pitches, so she's going to keep doing that. New pitching coach (and former Cat Grace Baalman) is going to call pitches for the rest of the staff.
* More on Vickers, who comes over from Rutgers as a proven arm... Outstanding pitcher and a lefty, which is somewhat uncommon in softball. Should make their bullpen stronger as well because they have more starting pitching depth. Vickers is a left-handed pitcher with one season of eligibility remaining who hails from Crystal Rivers, Florida. She went 11-8 overall in 2023 with the Scarlet Knights, with a 3.23 ERA and 93 strikeouts. Her biggest wins in the circle this season were against Northwestern, Iowa and Texas Tech while also tallying a save against Ohio State in Big Ten play.
* Thinks the lineup will be stronger up and down the order than it was last year, even though they lost a generational-type player in Kowalik. Erin Coffel may be in that leadoff spot more this year. Elite in that spot. Outstanding people who can hit behind her.
* Labeled the freshman class "awesome." ... "This freshman class is special... Five out of the seven are second-generation UK people. They have grown up watching Kentucky sports... There's a different juice behind them."
* Catcher is the key spot to solidify early in the season, espcecially from a receiving and defensive standpoint. "Once we do that, I think we'll take off."
*****
KENTUCKY SOFTBALL HC RACHEL LAWSON:
* Some big rule changes in college softball this year. Pitch communication devices from dugout to pitcher, a pitch clock has been added for select NC games and SEC games, all OF walls must be 200 feet or more. Doesn't affect UK's stadium but will be changes for some SEC parks. Also, runners leaving base early can be challenged now.
* Got some new unis coming this year, pinstripes. Wasn't sure she was supposed to let that cat out of the bag yet.
* Big theme throughout the coaching staff and players this off-season is to "level up." Never going to be satisfied unless you're standing in Oklahoma City.
* We have great balance this season. Returning a lot of good players. Freshman class is elite, and Vickers from the transfer portal is kind of the "missing piece" in the circle.
* On the pitch clock... Big fan. Sport of softball is awesome on TV. It's essential that we keep the game moving, close or under 2 hours.
* Interesting note on pitch calling... Schoonover is very comfortable with Lawson calling her pitches, so she's going to keep doing that. New pitching coach (and former Cat Grace Baalman) is going to call pitches for the rest of the staff.
* More on Vickers, who comes over from Rutgers as a proven arm... Outstanding pitcher and a lefty, which is somewhat uncommon in softball. Should make their bullpen stronger as well because they have more starting pitching depth. Vickers is a left-handed pitcher with one season of eligibility remaining who hails from Crystal Rivers, Florida. She went 11-8 overall in 2023 with the Scarlet Knights, with a 3.23 ERA and 93 strikeouts. Her biggest wins in the circle this season were against Northwestern, Iowa and Texas Tech while also tallying a save against Ohio State in Big Ten play.
* Thinks the lineup will be stronger up and down the order than it was last year, even though they lost a generational-type player in Kowalik. Erin Coffel may be in that leadoff spot more this year. Elite in that spot. Outstanding people who can hit behind her.
* Labeled the freshman class "awesome." ... "This freshman class is special... Five out of the seven are second-generation UK people. They have grown up watching Kentucky sports... There's a different juice behind them."
* Catcher is the key spot to solidify early in the season, espcecially from a receiving and defensive standpoint. "Once we do that, I think we'll take off."
*****
