Kaylee James All-Decade Team

All-Decade Team: Softball

By Sports Information

Williamsburg, KY – Having one of the longest standing women’s programs at Cumberlands, the UC softball team has entered its fifth decade of existence and has seen tremendous changes over the past decade, including the addition of the UC Softball Complex, which opened in 2015. The Patriots posted three 20+ wins seasons over the last decade, including the 2019 season where the Patriots recorded a 31-21 record, their best mark since 2001. UC captured one Mid-South Conference Tournament titles in 2017, advanced to the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament. Over the past decade, the Patriots have notched one MSC Freshman of the Year, one MSC Coach of the Year, three MSC Gold Glove winners, and 23 MSC All-Conference selections.  With all of these accomplishments, the one player that represents the Patriot softball team on UC’S All-Decade Team is outfielder Kaylee James.

James is one of the most decorated players in program history and currently holds the Patriots program career record for batting average and stolen bases.  She also holds the single-season record for batting average, hits, and stolen bases that she set during her three-year Patriot career. James made an impact from the moment she stepped on the field as she was a three-time MSC All-Conference selection, an MSC Gold Glove recipient in 2017, and a two-time MSC Player of the Week.  For her career, the Oakley, CA native, posted a .438 average, .479 slugging, with 228 hits, 97 stolen bases, 249 total bases, 39 RBI and 19 doubles.

“Being named to the All-Decade Team makes me feel proud of my time at UC and the hard work we put in every day to be on that field. I am so blessed and thankful to have this continued support from UC as well as the continued support of my family. Receiving something like this has really put my athletic career into perspective. It has allowed me to reflect on the time spent perfecting the game, the long days with the team, and the hot days spent in the cage hitting batting practice with my dad. It is so heartwarming and validating to reflect on the softball career I had because of the support that surrounded me.”
– Kaylee James

In her freshman campaign, James compiled a .415 average with 59 hits, 12 stolen bases, 10 doubles, and 10 RBI. James was dominant in her Patriot debut going 5-6 with a double, two walks, and three runs scored in a doubleheader against Union to earn MSC Player of the Week honors. The freshman opened her career on a ten-game hit streak and recorded 19 multi-hit games on the season.  James notched five three-hit games, including going 3-3 with a pair of doubles and at least one run scored against Bluefield and Georgetown.  James added a pair of multi-RBI games against St. Catharine and Campbellsville and posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. For her efforts, James was an MSC Second Team All-Conference selection in 2015.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of placing the ball where I wanted to when batting. Softball is a lot of mind games. Telling yourself you can do it. Preparing for something that may or may not happen. Telling yourself where you want to put the ball. I enjoyed watching the infield move to try to put up a better defense, just to place the ball where they were just moments before. The tactility of this game has helped me push through, support my team, and help us win a conference championship.”
- Kaylee James

James’ breakout season came in 2016, where she set the single-season program records for batting average (.495), hits (92), and stolen bases (43). In addition to setting program records, James finished the year ranked fifth in the NAIA in hits and hits per game (1.769), sixth in stolen bases, and seventh in batting average. On the season, the sophomore notched 32 multi-hit games and stole multiple bases in a game nine times. James was just as dominant in conference games tallying a conference-leading 50 hits and 21 stolen bases, while her .472 average ranked second in the MSC.  The sophomore opened the season recording four three-hit games out of UC’s first 12 games of the season. James’s strong start continued into conference play as she went 11-15 with 8 runs scored, 3 RBI, and a stolen base in the Patriots conference-opening series against St. Catharine.  On the base path, James showcased her blazing speed converted her first 19 stolen bases, including swiping four bags against Midway.  Later that year, James ran herself into the record book as she recorded her 33rd stolen base of the season, breaking Shannon Evans previews mark of 32, on April 12, to become the single-season record holder. At the MSC Tournament two weeks later, James etched her name in the record book once again as she went 2-3 against Lindsey Wilson for her 88th and 89th hit of the season, which broke the previous record of 87 set back in 1996.  For her performance on the season, James was named an MSC First Team All-Conference selection. In addition to those accolades, James was named an NFCA First Team All-American and a member of the Midwest All-Region Team.

The 2017 season saw James continue her dominance as she hit .401 with 77 hits and 42 stolen bases. On the season, James ranked eighth in the NAIA stolen bases, while leading the conference in hits and stolen bases. The Oakley, CA native recorded 23 multi-hit games while swiping multiple bags in a game eight times.  James' best game of the season came against Tennessee Wesleyan when she went 4-5 with three runs scored, three stolen bases, and a pair of RBI.  She added seven multi-hit games in non-conference play before 6-13 with four runs scored and three stolen bases in UC’s conference-opening series against Cumberland.  James added another program record to her resume on March 25 when she tied a career-high with four stolen bases against Shawnee State, including the 80th of her career to make her the career record holder.  James continued to finish the regular season out strong as she was named MSC First Team All-Conference for the second straight season and earned MSC Gold Glove honors.  In the MSC Tournament James played a vital role as she notched seven hits, four stolen bases, and three runs scored to help UC capture their first MSC Tournament title in program history and earn an automatic berth to the NAIA Opening Round.  

“My favorite individual memory would be beating the university career stolen base record while playing Shawnee State. This specific memory meant so much to me because my family was in the stands. It felt great to achieve this accomplishment in my third year at UC and to make my parents proud.”
- Kaylee James

James graduated from UC in 2017 with a double-major in Psychology and Art. Upon graduation from UC, James has continued her education and is in the process of completing her doctorate in clinical psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. She is on pace to graduate in the next two years and will be pursuing a career working with children and developmental disabilities.

“I just wanted to say how blessed I am to be receiving the honor of All-Decade player for softball. I loved being a part of the UC family and being able to walk on the diamond as a Patriot. UC allowed me to grow and receive the education I needed to continue on and pursue my doctorate in clinical psychology. From the first day I walked on campus, to my last, I’ll always be a Pat.”
- Kaylee James

The UC All-Decade Team was determined based on stats, awards & honors received, and significance to the program in addition to input for members of the UC Athletic Department. It will include one representative from every sport and be comprised of 29 student-athletes. The all-decade team looked at everything from the 2010-2011 season through the 2019-2020 season.