North Kentucky News

Patriots Post Highest Ranking in Program History

After one of the best starts in UC softball history, the team earns their best ranking, jumping 11 places to #13 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office on Wednesday.

 

Previously the highest ranking for UC softball was #15 last season under Head Coach Bailey Dillender. "Our team is deserving of this early recognition," said Coach Dillender. "If we have learned anything in the last couple of years, it's the importance of controlling the things we can, and that means continuing to focus on our circle, our people, and our plan. I will continue to stress to our team the importance of keeping our focus on what's in front of us and not what we have done."

 

UC is currently 19-2 on the season and 3-0 in Mid-South Conference play. The team has 13 top-ten rankings in the NAIA including second in sacrifice flies with 10, second in shutouts with seven, third in total bases with 278 and fourth in doubles with 35.

 

The team has defeated three ranked teams already this season including a two-game sweep of the now #1 team, Mobile where UC defeated them 5-2 and 6-3. The six runs in game two were the most the Rams have given up since April 9, 2022.

 

Offensively, the Pats are led by Bailey Turnbow who is batting .463 with nine extra base hits, including a team best two triples. Carly Oliver is right behind her with a .375 batting average and leading the team in doubles with six. Makenzie Keatts is leading the team and MSC with 20 RBI.

 

In the circle, the UC pitching staff has a combined ERA of 1.28 for eighth best in the NAIA. Morgan Radford is leading the staff with a 0.73 ERA which is second in the MSC. Talli Burgess is not far behind Radford, boasting a 0.79 ERA for third best in the conference and NAIA leading in saves with three.

 

The Mid-South Conference has three teams ranked in the NAIA, led by Freed-Hardeman in third, UC at 13th and Campbellsville at #24. Both Freed-Hardeman and Campbellsville are upcoming opponents for the Patriots.

UC will be back on the diamond on Saturday, March 11 when they head to Bryan College for a doubleheader. The first game is set for a 1PM first pitch.

Original source can be found here.