Sarah Rainwater Tears ACL, Will Miss Remainder of 2018

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky softball starting centerfielder Sarah Rainwater tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of her left knee in practice on Friday afternoon and will miss the remainder of the 2018 season, head coach Rachel Lawson announced on Tuesday.
 
“It’s very disheartening, but I tore my ACL on Friday in practice,” Rainwater said. “Since the loss at Super Regionals in Oregon last spring, we have been working exceptionally hard towards our goal which is nothing short of playing in Oklahoma City. I will continue to work hard to that goal along with my teammates, but now just from a different perspective. I have complete confidence in all of my teammates that they will get the job done. I appreciate everyone’s concern. Go Cats!”
 
Rainwater was a key member of almost every game of the season before suffering the injury on Friday afternoon in practice, and was Kentucky’s best defensive outfielder. At the plate, Rainwater was hitting .182 with three runs scored, her first-career triple and four walks. She has one year of full eligibility remaining. She will be recovered barring setbacks for Opening Day in 2019, her senior season.
 
“It’s always difficult when unfortunate injuries happen to hard-working and driven student-athletes,” head coach Rachel Lawson said. “Sarah is making strides offensively in addition to being a great outfielder and was having her best season yet at the plate. We are confident that she will come back strong next year and we are looking forward to her being a leader in the dugout for the rest of the year.”
 
Rainwater will be working with UK’s softball athletic trainer Bri Papotto during her rehab.
 
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