Jan. 31, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior pitcher and designated player Rachel Riley earned selection to the 2012 All-Southeastern Conference preseason team it was announced by the league office on Tuesday. This marks the first such honor of the Bowling Green, Ky., native’s career.
A team captain for the second consecutive season, Riley set career highs in pitching victories (13) and batting average (.354) in helping lead the Wildcats to a 40-win season and the school’s first-ever appearance in the Super Regionals in 2011.
“It is nice to see Riley receive recognition up to this point in her career for all of her work both on the mound and in the box,” UK coach Rachel Lawson said. “We are hoping for big things from her and the rest of her teammates as we embark on our 2012 season.”
The league’s coaches vote on a preseason squad that consists of a minimum of 12 players. Each SEC head softball coach voted for four infielders, two pitchers, one catcher and one utility/designated player with no ties being broken.
Riley has already formulated a tremendous career in the Blue and White. She has earned victories over eight top-10 ranked opponents throughout her career and owns more post-season pitching victories than any other hurler in school allure. In helping guide the Wildcats to the Super Regionals a season ago, Riley captured a save against No. 2 Michigan and then threw a one-run victory to propel the Wildcats to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.
At the dish, Riley improved her batting average more than .150 points from her sophomore season to her junior campaign where she ranked third on the team in batting average. She also drilled eight home runs which ranked a career-best in helping UK set a new single-season standard with 65 combined long balls as a team.
This marks the fifth consecutive season the SEC coaches have selected a preseason team. Riley is the third Wildcat to earn the honor as Megan Yocke was tabbed to the preseason squad in 2011 and Molly Johnson in 2010 and 2009.
Follow along with the UK softball program all season long at UKathletics.com.
Preseason All-SEC Team
Player, School, Position
Cassie Reilly-Boccia, Alabama, IF
Cheyenne Coyle, Florida, IF
Raven Chavanne, Tennessee, IF
Lauren Gibson, Tennessee, IF
Kayla Braud, Alabama, OF
Morgan Estell, Auburn, OF
Michelle Moultrie, Florida, OF
Kat Dotson, Tennessee, OF
Jaclyn Traina, Alabama, P
Ellen Renfroe, Tennessee, P
Brittany Schutte, Florida, C
Amanda Locke, Alabama, UTL
Rachel Riley, Kentucky, UTL
*Ties were not broken
