🔵 The Official Daily Newsletter For Kentucky Athletics

Good morning. Did you know that on this date in 1793 that The Louvre opened in Paris, ultimately becoming the most-visited museum in the world?

Speaking of Mona Lisas, former Kentucky softball star Kayla Kowalik won three postseason awards in her first year in the Women’s Pro Fastpitch league and Laney Frye advanced yesterday to make the Round of 32 in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship!

What else are we mixing into today’s Brew?

⛳ It’s back-to-back for Laney Frye
🥎 Kayla Kowalik earns Rookie of the Year
🔵 And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Back To Back. Another one! All-American—and, more importantly, Bluegrass native—Laney Frye has advanced for the second straight year to the match-play round of 32 in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Playing as the No. 40 seed, she upset No. 25 Leigh Chien in the match-play round of 64 through 22 holes at Bel-Air Country Club (par 70, 6,187 yards).

Laney Frye will square off against No. 8 Nikki Oh at 10:30am ET tomorrow.

Jensen Castle suffered a close loss as the 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion lost to third-seeded Gianna Clemente (4&3) and her time at the championship has ended.

🔼 Triple Threat. Not one… Not two… But three! Former Kentucky softball catcher Kayla Kowalik was named the 2023 Women’s Pro Fastpitch Rookie of the Year in a season where she was also named to the WPF All-Outfield Team and led the league in stolen bases!

The native of New Braunfels, Texas, who is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-American hit .394 on the season and scored 27 runs on 43 hits as her USSSA Pride squad went 18-16 to earn the No. 3 spot in the WPF playoffs, which begin this week.

Kayla Kowalik is joined on the USSSA Pride by former Kentucky teammate, Abbey Cheek, who had five home runs and 12 runs driven in on the season. Her five long balls co-led the team with Delaney Spaulding on the season and her 12 runs driven in were third on the team this season as her professional career continues.

The Pride will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week in the WPF Playoff semifinals. The two winners of the semifinals will advance into a three-game championship series August 15-18.

💣 Take a look at one of Kayla Kowalik’s last big plays at Kentucky.

🤔 BIG BLUE TRIVIA

Dive in. Izayah Cummings said he’s “seeing the fruits of his labor so far in fall camp” and the tight end is putting in the work to have another thriving season.

Taking a look back at last season, the senior showed he’s a versatile player—getting his first career rush attempt against Ole Miss.

Today’s question is—how many yards did he get on the carry?

(Hint: It’s the same number as there are days left to kickoff!)

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🔵 ONE BIG THING

Keep building. The Big Blue Wall has big goals this season, but how long does it take to see progress? BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis talks with offensive line coach Zach Yenser at a recent Kentucky football practice as the team gears up for the season for all the answers.

🎥 Watch the full segment with offensive line coach Zach Yenser on BBN Tonight.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 COMING SOON

Thursday, August 17

⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. Eastern Kentucky @ 7:30pm ET (Season Opener)

Thursday, August 24

⚽️ Men’s Soccer vs. Florida Gulf Coast @ 7:30pm ET (Home Opener)

Friday, September 1

🏐 Volleyball vs. Pittsburgh @ 7:00pm ET (Home Opener)

Saturday, September 2

🏈 Football vs. Ball State @ 12:00pm ET on SEC Network | Watch Live | Reserve Your Tailgate

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 23 yards!

🔵 Have a great Thursday!