Former Cat Erin Coffel Named MVP of Inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Former UK softball player Erin Coffel was named the Most Valuable Player of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s inaugural season this past weekend where she was awarded the trophy by AUSL Commissioner, Kim Ng, ahead of game one of the AUSL Championship Series presented by Sephora at Rhoads Stadium.

The league’s MVP was voted on by the AUSL’s Player Executive Committee, advisors, general managers and head coaches in addition to members of the AUSL broadcast team, beat writers and select members of the press.

Coffel, who earlier also won the league’s Hitter of the Year award, guided the Bandits to a 15-9 record and a second-place finish in the AUSL regular season standings. The former Wildcat star paced the AUSL with four triples and 28 runs batted in along with being hit by a pitch a league-high 13 times. In addition, she fashioned a .410 batting average while owning a league-high .869 slugging percentage and .566 on-base percentage. 

“Erin Coffel delivered an exceptional season that truly set the standard in our inaugural year," said

AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng. "Her power at the plate, consistency in the field, and relentless competitiveness made her a force in every game she played. Most importantly, she elevated everyone around her and played a vital role in helping propel the Bandits to compete for the AUSL Championship. We’re proud to recognize her as our first AUSL MVP.”

A member of the AUSL All-Defensive Team, Coffel opened the season by reaching base safely in 19 consecutive games, which stands as the longest mark in the league. She also posted a pair of five-game hitting streaks and recorded a season-high three hits, including a pair of triples, against the Blaze on July 8.

While at Kentucky, Coffel was named All-SEC in all four of her years as a Wildcat, while becoming a National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association All-American in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, her final two in the Blue and White. She is the all-time leader at UK in both home runs and runs batted in.

The AUSL currently has a partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB).The Ath s UThe Athletes Unlimited Softball League is the premier professional women's softball league in the United States.nlimited Softball League is the premier professional women's softball league in the United States.