Bump Brings Competitive Edge to UK Softball Program

When McKenzie Bump entered the transfer portal after four years at Ohio State, she already had an idea of where her final destination would be. Bump and her Buckeyes had played at Kentucky, and it was a place that left an impression on her.

“We played here a couple of times and I loved it every time we were here,” Bump said of Lexington. “I’m very excited. This is definitely the most excited I’ve been for a season and also the least stressed.”

Another reason that Kentucky made sense for Bump was that she wanted to be coached by UK head coach Rachel Lawson.

“The biggest thing was that I wanted to be coached by someone that I looked up to and really respected and Coach Lawson fit every single category I could ask for,” Bump said.

A third reason was the Bump really wanted to play against the best of the best in the Southeastern Conference.

“The Big Ten was always super special to me but my biggest dream ever was to play in the SEC and for Coach Lawson to give me that chance was everything I could ask for and more,” Bump said. “To compete against the best of the best is always something I have wanted to do, so I’m really excited to see where I match up with that.”

Lawson believes that Bump will be a big addition for the Cats this season.

“McKenzie Bump is a transfer that we brought in for a really good defensive player,” Lawson said. “She’ll bring a left-handed bat in our lineup. We only have three lefties, so it’s important that she stays in there. Really good teammate, does a really good job. She comes from Ohio State and has a lot of experience.”

Bump has already enjoyed working with Lawson, through the fall and into spring practice.

“She’s already helped me so much,” Bump said. “I think the biggest difference that I’ve noticed is my mental game. I’ve never had a coach that believes in me more than (I believe) in myself and that’s something that stands out to me.”

Bump hit .336 last season at Ohio State. She had five home runs and six doubles and knocked in 24 runs. She also stole seven bases without being thrown out.

Bump admits that she has a competitive streak, something she looks forward to bringing to the field this season.

“I am very competitive, I can’t lie there,” she said. “It definitely comes out even sometimes when I try to hide it. I have a lot of siblings so my whole life has been competing to try to win. And when I don’t, I’m not always the best loser.”

Bump has found that many of her new teammates fall into that same category.

“I think that everybody on our team is really competitive and I think that we push each other, even outside of softball,” Bump said. “I think we all have a really strong bond outside of softball that (we bring) into softball.”

Kentucky hopes that adding an experienced, competitive McKenzie Bump can propel the team this season.