2023 Softball Media Days, Day 1: Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee

Out of the Box

The Out of the Box Boys are back and ready to present the fourth year of Softball Media Days! That’s right, Tom Canterbury and Gray Robertson are here to talk with every SEC school (and one bonus school) about softball over the next two weeks, and it’s time to get it started!

First, Tom and Gray preview Softball Media Days and discuss what went into getting everything together while also revealing the full schedule for the event and previewing Day One (0:00-12:26).

Then, Kentucky head coach Rachel Lawson leads off and discusses last year’s squad, keeping Kayla Kowalik around the program, Erin Coffel’s return, protecting Coffel in the lineup, WHOOOO’S PITCHING, portal additions, incoming freshmen, rule changes, realignment concerns, a neutral site SEC Tournament, and much more (12:33-53:11).

Next, South Carolina head coach Bev Smith stops by to talk about takeaways from 2023, what made Donnie Gobourne special, how the Gamecocks snagged Alana Vawter, the rest of the pitching staff, offensive returners, other portal additions,, hiring Jake Epstein, rule adjustments, softball facilities, and more. (53:17-1:24:33).

Finally, Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly swings by to discuss last season’s success, the legacy of Ashley Rogers, how Kiki Milloy can get even better, keeping all the returners hungry, Chris Malveaux’s impact, Payton Gottshall and Karlyn Pickens, portal pieces, rule changes, the shift in the college sports landscape, her Masters Champions Dinner menu, and much more (1:24:44-2:02:09).

To close the show, Tom and Gray recap the first episode and tease the second episode of Softball Media Days (2:02:16-2:07:14).

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