Kentucky softball just hit a home run in the transfer portal. The Wildcats have snagged Ohio State standout McKenzie Bump for the 2025 season, adding a proven Big Ten bat to their SEC arsenal.
Bump, a career .300 hitter, is trading scarlet and gray for blue and white after a four-year tear in Columbus. The Elison, Ohio native brings pop and speed to Lexington, having smacked 21 doubles and seven homers for the Buckeyes.
“We’ve got ourselves a real thumper,” UK head coach Rachel Lawson told the Courier Journal. “McKenzie’s got that mix of power and speed that’ll keep SEC pitchers up at night.”
Bump’s senior campaign was her best yet, as she crushed a career-high five long balls and drove in 24 runs. Her .336 batting average in Big Ten play had conference pitchers breathing sighs of relief as she packed her bags for the Bluegrass State.
But it’s not just her bat that has Lawson excited. “McKenzie’s got that competitive fire we love here at Kentucky,” Lawson said. “She’ll fit right in with our win-at-all-costs mentality.”
Bump’s not just a star on the diamond, either. The marketing major interned with Learfield last summer, proving she’s as sharp in the boardroom as she is in the batter’s box.
As Kentucky gears up for another run at SEC glory, Bump’s addition could be the spark that ignites a championship flame. The rest of the conference might want to take notice – there’s a new Bump in the road to the Women’s College World Series.
