Kayla Kowalik Ranked as No. 1 Catcher in America by Extra Innings

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Extra Innings Softball has ranked Kentucky catcher Kayla Kowalik as the No. 1 catcher in the country in its annual preseason positional rankings.

Kowalik has hit over .450 in each of her last two seasons in Lexington and has been an All-Southeastern Conference performer in three of her four years in her time as a Wildcat. She was in the running for National Player of the Year in 2021, hitting .500 for the season, a new single-season high for the Kentucky Softball program.

In her junior campaign, she became the fifth National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-American, joining Molly Johnson-Belcher, Kelsey Nunley, Katie Reed and Abbey Cheek. One of the most feared lead-off hitters in the country, Kowalik in 2022 hit .420 with 57 runs scored, 76 hits, 11 doubles, seven home runs and 28 RBI.

Kentucky begins its 2023 season on Friday, Feb. 10 at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Florida with a doubleheader against St. John’s and Louisville. The tournament takes place at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex and tickets are on sale now.

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