This Day in UK Athletics History: Nunley Named to WCWS All-Tournament Team (2014)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore pitcher Kelsey Nunley was named to the 2014 Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team for her strong performances in the circle at the event, it was announced after the completion of the tournament on Tuesday night, June 4, 2014.

Nunley, who threw every pitch of every game for Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, tossed 21 innings in the WCWS, allowing only seven earned runs with 17 strikeouts and a 2.33 ERA against some of the best offensive teams in the nation. The native of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., started the WCWS by throwing a one-hitter vs. No. 6 Louisiana-Lafayette, marking the fewest hits ULL had posted since May 9, 2013.

The sophomore followed that performance the next night with a strong seven innings against No. 2 Alabama. After allowing a two-out, two-run homer in the second inning, Nunley held the Crimson Tide hitless the final five innings, retiring 16 of the last 18 batters she faced. Alabama recorded three hits in the game, marking the lowest number for the Crimson Tide in NCAA Tournament play this season. It was only the fourth time all season UA has been held to three hits or less.

Nunley’s impressive season ended the following day against No. 13 Baylor, allowing four earned runs to the high powered Bear offense. Overall for the tournament, Nunley started all 10 of UK’s games, throwing 69.1 innings with 13 earned runs allowed and 55 strikeouts. In her 10 NCAA Tournament starts, Nunley allowed two earned runs or fewer eight times, while opponents hit just .202 against her.

For the season, Nunley finished 30-11 with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 219 batters in 282.1 innings pitched. Her ERA and strikeouts rank second best in a single season in program history, while her 30 wins and 282.1 innings pitched top UK’s single season lists in those categories. In Kentucky’s career rankings, Nunley sits sixth in appearances, fourth in innings pitched, sixth in games started, first in ERA, second in opponent batting average, third in strikeouts, second in wins and tied for fifth in saves.

Kentucky was making its first ever appearance in the WCWS after winning the NCAA Lexington Regional and defeating No. 3 UCLA in the NCAA Los Angeles Super Regional. Since 2005, eight schools have made their debuts in the WCWS with Kentucky being one of only three to win its opening game in the event. The Wildcats ended the season with 50 wins for the first time in school history, shattering the previous record for wins in a season of 41 set in 2013.

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2014 Women’s College World Series All-Tournament Team
Hannah Rogers, Florida (Most Outstanding Player)
Kelsey Stewart, Florida
Jaclyn Traina, Alabama
Shelby Pendley, Oklahoma
Kirsti Merritt, Florida
Courtney Ceo, Oregon
Bailey Castro, Florida
Jordan Strickland, Baylor
Kelsey Nunley, Kentucky
Kaila Hunt, Alabama
Linsey Hays, Baylor
Aubree Munro, Florida