Two Former Kentucky Softball Stars Team Up Once Again
You can never get rid of that Kentucky blood, even when you turn professional.
Former Kentucky softball stars Kayla Kowalik and Abbey Cheek found that out quickly after they both found themselves on the USSSA Pride, a pro softball team based out of Viera, Florida. The former ‘Cats now turned Pride teammates kicked off their debut together on Thursday, June 15th.
Kowalik (2019-23) and Cheek (2016-19) were teammates at UK during the 2019 season when Kowalik was a freshman and Cheek was a senior. After hitting .500 to start the 2019 season, Kowalik led the entire team in batting average and hits. She was labeled SEC Freshman of the Week twice and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Cheek won multiple awards of her own during her senior season as both ‘Cats were proving themselves to be stars. She was a stud at UK, as she went on to win the Wildcats’ first-ever SEC Player of the Year award and the NFCA National Player of the Year award after taking the ‘Cats to a Super Regional during the 2019 season. Cheek was picked up by the Pride in 2022 after being drafted by the Chicago Bandits in 2019.
Kowalik was drafted No. 8 in the 2023 Women’s Professional Fastpitch Draft by the Pride. Following a stellar grad year as a ‘Cat, Kowalik was voted an All-American this past season.
‘Cats come up short on Opening Night
On her opening night as a professional player earlier this week, Kowalik batted lead-off and found herself away from her normal catching position, and instead in right field. Cheek batted two spots behind Kowalik.
Unfortunately, the Pride came up short with a 3-2 loss, but the UK alums showed out with multiple hits and defensive plays. Would Kentucky fans expect anything less from a couple of former program stars?
The Pride continues play on Monday, June 19 in Oklahoma City against the OKC Spark.
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