Rachel Riley

Classroom

Riley is an exceptional student who possesses a 3.868 in Biology and has already been accepted into UK’s Dental School for post-graduate work. She will graduate in the Spring of 2012. She was inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character for the 2011-12 academic year, which is the highest honor the University of Kentucky can bestow on its athletes. She has been a Dean’s list member in every semester of college. She is a three-time All-SEC Academic team member, a three-time Athletic Director Honor Roll and she also earned Capital One Academic All-District honors as a junior.

Character

Riley has been elected as a team captain by her teammates, coaches and support staff for both her junior and senior seasons. Her work ethic is unrivaled on the team, and finished her senior season of off-season workouts as the best all-around performer. Coach Rachel Lawson attributes that every team needs a constant, and Riley is the Wildcats’ constant according to Lawson. She suffered two ACL injuries prior to arriving to Kentucky. She did not start her first game as a pitcher until April of her freshman season after an injury to another pitcher. In her first career start, she pitched seven scoreless innings and yielded just one hit against No. 1 Florida, before an unearned run allowed the Gators to capture the win. Pure desire enabled her to crack the lineup as a freshman with only a crafty drop-ball at her disposal, but she has since dedicated herself in the off-seasons to develop a multitude of pitches. She increased her batting average more than .200 points from her sophomore to junior seasons. She has been an integral part in UK’s successful run over the last three seasons, and seems to always have a hand in leading UK to its biggest victories. She has been the winning pitcher in eight of UK’s victories over top-25 opponents over the last two seasons.

Community

Riley has been a constant factor in community service since her arrival on campus. She has participated in projects such as: UK Fusion volunteer, SEC “Together We Can” Food Drive, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Hope Lodge Christmas Party volunteer, Southland Clothes Drop-Off volunteer, Circle of Love volunteer, Fairview Memorial Church Vacation Bible School volunteer, Make-a-Wish Foundation “Field of Dreams” celebrity pitcher and a 16-U Northern Nationals Fast Pitch Tournament volunteer scorekeeper in addition to working several UK softball camps.

Competition

Riley earned All-South Region honors by the NFCA as a junior. She was selected to the 2009 All-SEC Tournament team and ranks among UK’s top-10 all-time in just three seasons in fielding percentage, pitching appearances, innings pitched, games started, ERA, opponent batting average, strikeouts, wins and saves. She is among the top-three in career ERA, opponent batting average and wins. She has captured victories over eight top-25 opponents and earned UK’s first-ever post-season victory in the circle with an upset of No. 7 Georgia in the SEC Tournament in 2009, and then a win over Canisius in the NCAA Tournament in that same season. She had a banner-year as a junior when she batted .354 with eight home runs and 28 RBI to couple with a career-high 13 pitching victories and a 2.56 ERA and 68 strikeouts. When not pitching, Riley serves as UK’s designated hitter. She tossed a perfect game in a win over Austin Peay in 2011 and set the school-record with six RBI in the same outing. She captured a save in Kentucky’s win over No. 2 Michigan to earn a spot in the Regional finals before claiming a one-hit victory over the Wolverines in the win that sent UK to its first Super Regional appearance in 2011. She led UK to a win over No. 7 California in a shutout in the Super Regional and ranks as Kentucky’s all-time leader in wins in post-season history.