Erin Coffel, Stephanie Schoonover Named Preseason All-SEC
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Softball team placed two of its members on the Preseason All-Southeastern Conference Team, the league office announced Wednesday morning. Both Erin Coffel and Stephanie Schoonover were named to the team, as two of the 24-member team that was voted on by the 13 SEC head coaches.
Last season, Erin Coffel joined Kayla Kowalik as the first-ever two-time National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-American in Kentucky Softball history. The senior from Bremen, Indiana hit .440 on the season with 19 home runs and 55 runs batted in. Coffel had a nation-leading 64 walks drawn and she scored 60 runs on 55 hits en route to an All-SEC and All-America season for the Wildcats.
Stephanie Schoonover had a 12-2 record in the circle a year ago with a 2.01 ERA in 27 appearances for the Blue and White. Schoonover threw 12 complete games, had eight shutouts in her 20 starts and had a team-leading 160 strikeouts in 114.2 innings of work. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native had three saves as well, in addition to her 12 wins.
Additionally, the SEC preseason coaches’ poll was released Wednesday with Kentucky picked to finish 10th by the league head coaches. Tennessee was picked to win the SEC by one vote, with six first-place votes. Georgia got six first-place votes and was picked second. Florida, who was picked seventh, received one first-place vote.
NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.
2024 Preseason All-SEC Softball Team
| Name, School | Class | Hometown |
| Rylin Hedgecock, Arkansas | R-Sr. | Valdosta, Ga. |
| Maddie Penta, Auburn | Sr. | Chesapeake City, Md. |
| Nelia Peralta, Auburn | Jr. | Wellington, Fla. |
| Kendra Falby, Florida | Jr. | Odessa, Fla. |
| Skylar Wallace, Florida | R-Sr. | Woodstock, Ga. |
| Jayda Kearney, Georgia | Sr. | Columbus, N.J. |
| Sydney Kuma, Georgia | Gr. | Fresno, Calif. |
| Sara Mosley, Georgia | Fifth Year | Ellijay, Ga. |
| Shelby Walters, Georgia | Gr. | Cohutta, Ga. |
| Erin Coffel, Kentucky | Sr. | Bremen, Ind. |
| Stephanie Schnoover, Kentucky | Sr. | Dothan, Ala. |
| Sydney Berzon, LSU | So. | Buffalo, N.Y. |
| Ciara Briggs, LSU | Gr. | Yorba Linda, Calif. |
| Danieca Coffey, LSU | Sr. | Richwood, Texas |
| Taylor Pleasants, LSU | Gr. | Houston, Texas |
| Alex Honnold, Missouri | Sr. | West Des Moines, Iowa |
| Jenna Laird, Missouri | Sr. | East Meadow, N.Y. |
| Alana Vawter, South Carolina | Fifth Year | Kansas City, Mo. |
| McKenna Gibson, Tennessee | Jr. | Santa Clarita, Calif. |
| Payton Gottshall, Tennessee | Gr. | Massillon, Ohio |
| Kiki Milloy, Tennessee | Gr. | Woodinville, Wash. |
| Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee | So. | Weaverville, N.C. |
| Zaida Puni, Tennessee | Sr. | Carson, Calif. |
| Julia Cottrill, Texas A&M | Sr. | Wichita, Kan. |
2024 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
| Place | School | Points |
| 1. | Tennessee (6) | 137 |
| 2. | Georgia (6) | 136 |
| 3. | LSU | 106 |
| 4. | Arkansas | 103 |
| 5. | Auburn | 100 |
| 6. | Alabama | 88 |
| 7. | Florida (1) | 77 |
| 8. | Texas A&M | 75 |
| 9. | South Carolina | 68 |
| 10. | Kentucky | 53 |
| 11. | Missouri | 28 |
| 12. | Ole Miss | 24 |
| 13. | Mississippi State | 19 |
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