After finishing 2017 with its fifth Super Regional appearance in the last seven years, the University of Kentucky softball team finished the season No. 17 in both the NFCA Coaches’ Poll and the USA Softball/ESPN poll.
The Wildcats reached as high as No. 16 in both polls this season, with that coming on the March 28 release after Kentucky took two out of three games from Southeastern Conference opponent, Arkansas.
Kentucky finished the season 39-19 overall, and an even 12-12 in SEC play. UK breezed through the 2017 Lexington Regional of the NCAA Tournament, beating DePaul 5-0 in the opening round, before capturing 1-0 and 4-2 wins over Illinois in the Regional Final to book its spot in the Eugene Super Regional.
Shortstop Katie Reed was named as the program’s third All-American after the season, earning a spot on the NFCA’s Third-Team as an at-large shortstop selection. The Wildcat infielder hit .359 on the season with three homers and had the highest fielding percentage of any starting shortstop in the SEC.
2017 Final NFCA Coaches’ Poll
1. Oklahoma
2. Florida
3. Washington
4. Oregon
5. UCLA
6. LSU
7. Baylor
8. Texas A&M
9. Arizona
10. Florida State
11. Tennessee
12. Alabama
13. Auburn
14. Utah
15. Minnesota
16. Ole Miss
17. Kentucky
18. James Madison
19. Louisiana
20. Michigan
21. BYU
22. Tulsa
23. Arizona State
24. Marshall
T-25. Georgia, South Carolina
Final USA Softball/ESPN.com Top 25
1. Oklahoma
2. Florida
3. Oregon
4. Washington
5. UCLA
6. LSU
7. Baylor
8. Texas A&M
9. Arizona
10. Florida State
11. Alabama
12. Tennessee
13. Auburn
14. Minnesota
15. Ole Miss
16. Utah
17. Kentucky
18. James Madison
19. Louisiana
20. Michigan
21. BYU
22. Tulsa
23. Arizona State
24. Illinois
25. Oklahoma State
For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
‑ GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Chris Shoals
