Renee Abernathy has scored 25 runs for UK this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Renee Abernathy wasn’t always sure softball would be her major sport.
“I ran track, played basketball, even played volleyball,” Abernathy said. “Then in high school, I only did softball and volleyball. And softball really helped me with my leg strength and arm strength in volleyball.”
Eventually, she decided to stick with softball, and Kentucky softball coach Rachel Lawson is glad she did. She is hitting .353 this season with 10 homers and has driven in 41 runs to rank among the team leaders in each category. She’s even 6-for-8 on stolen base attempts.
She’s had several game-winning hits for UK (35-12, 10-11 SEC) to help keep the Cats in position to possibly host an NCAA regional later this month. Kentucky closes regular-season play by hosting South Carolina for three games this weekend.
Her power has dramatically improved this season.
“I was always more of a gap to gap hitter. This past summer I really worked hard on power hitting and hitting home runs,” Abernathy said. “I have always been a doubles hitter and never hit home runs like this.”
She takes her position in centerfield just as seriously.
“It is challenging. Any ball in the air, I want to catch it,” Abernathy said. “In the SEC and college in general, balls are hit hard and faster and are way harder to catch. But it’s just me that wants to catch anything in the air to help our team.”
But why did she finally decide softball was the right sport for her?
“Just the challenge. There are so many technical things in hitting. You have to get you timing and go against a pitcher with her best stuff. Getting a hit off a pitcher is such a feat that I just loved the challenge,” Abernathy said.
