More than a few Halloweens ago, 2023 Extra Elite 100 infielder/outfielder Emory Donaldson from Louisville, Kentucky, dressed as a Kentucky Wildcat cheerleader.
Two years from now, the junior at Ballard High and a standout on Phil Brown’s Fury Platinum X travel ball team, will be wearing the SEC school’s colors again, this time for real as a member of the university’s athletic program.
Not as a cheerleader, though, but rather as one of the top incoming recruits for the softball program.
“My parents attended the University of Kentucky,” Emory explains, “and our family was always rooting for the Wildcats. After I got into softball at an early age, I attended a lot of games and some camps over the years.”
Emory continues, emphasizing that she wasn’t forced or coerced into going to her parent’s alma mater.
“My parents never pushed UK, or even playing close to home, on me,” the softball star insists. “They helped me visit a lot of other schools and camps and let the decision be my own.”
Emory, who had an on-base percentage over .500 at both the high school and club levels, admits she tried not to dream too much about the chance to play for her childhood dream school, but fantasy became reality once the live recruiting period began a month and a half ago.
“When Coach (Rachel) Lawson contacted me on September 1,” the athlete remembers, “I was thrilled that there might be a chance for me at UK. As we got to know one another over the next few weeks, and after an unbelievable weekend official visit, I knew Kentucky was everything I wanted and more. When Coach Lawson extended an offer, my answer was a BIG BLUE YES!”
How it started.. how it’s going. I am super excited to announce that I am going to get a great education at the University of Kentucky, and play a little softball too! Tonight, I committed to becoming a Wildcat! #gocats @UKCoachLawson @UKCoachHimes @coachjb_18 pic.twitter.com/kAbE2bke1p
— Emory Donaldson (@emoryruthd2023) October 12, 2021
Coach Brown, her travel ball coach, says his prized player’s talents include her versatility and how she gets along with her fellow players:
“Emory is a true leader on and off the field,” Brown begins. “What makes Emory an SEC caliber kid is the ability to hit the ball all over the field while being a true utility player in the field. She can play any spot other than pitcher and catcher because of her great speed and size. Emory will be a great asset to UK! They are getting a great player and even a better teammate!”
He jokingly adds that her thefts are limited to the softball field, either.
” Emory is known for stealing food from your plate if you ever have the misfortune to eat with her! Her middle name is Ruth so it’s hard for her to escape the nickname of Baby Ruth!”
Earlier this year, Extra Inning Softball listed Baby Ruth… errr… Emory, as a Top 65 player in her class; here’s the bio as it was written heading into the Summer of 2021:
Emory can play any position you put her at as she can lock down the middle and corners equally well and occasionally roams the outfield. She led the team in hitting last Fall with a .364 batting average. Coach Phil Brown believes that Emory’s package of speed, power, instincts and versatility on defense with benefit her well going forward as she is willing to take on whatever role is necessary for the team to be successful. Coach Brown says: “She has fought through a couple of small injuries, so the exciting part is the best is yet to come. I expect to see schools from all levels show interest this summer and beyond.”
The talented player did get a lot of recruiting attention, but it soon became clear that there was only one school that would win her heart if interested and that is exactly what happened when Kentucky made the offer official.
The sweet-swinging ’23 grad didn’t wait long to reciprocate the love; after all, she’s long held the White & Blue Wildcats colors close to her heart.
She has the childhood pics to prove it.
Here’s more on how Emory’s Wildcat dream came to fruition…
*****
NAME: EMORY DONALDSON
Position(s): MIF/3B/OF
High School (City/ST): Ballard (Louisville, KY)
Club Team: Fury Platinum X Brown
Committed To: Kentucky
Date Committed: October 11, 2021
How did your future university first find you to start recruiting you?
I’d like to think they noticed me at camp when I was 10, but it was most likely at Elite camps and watching me play for the Fury Platinum over the last few years.
What did the Kentucky coaches say they liked about your game enough to offer you?
They said they really liked my athleticism and versatility.
Tell us about the circumstances behind you being offered and then pulling the trigger and officially committing…
Coach Lawson contacted me on September 1st and we continued to chat for a couple of weeks. We decided to turn what was initially supposed to be an unofficial visit into a full-blown official visit in early October. That weekend experience was awesome as UK football scored a big victory and the prospects got to storm the field! About a week after my visit, Coach Lawson finalized my offer and I accepted on a phone call that night.
You’ve always been a Kentucky fan but was there a moment when you realized you could and would play for them?
It had always been a dream to play for UK, and as the possibility grew so did my excitement. But my visit just sent me over the top crazy for the campus, coaches and environment. The program does so much for its student-athletes!
Who helped you in your softball decision?
My parents had the biggest impact, working through and being selective in areas like academics, culture, cost—all the things that should have an impact on a big decision like that. Even though they both attended UK, they never pushed it on me and let me have the ultimate say. My high school coach along with the Fury Platinum coaches and directors also gave me guidance on the process and set me up with fantastic opportunities.
What’s been a favorite softball experience for you?
I really enjoyed playing in the Colorado Sparkler Futures Game. Little did I know I was playing with two to three future Wildcat teammates.
What will you study in college?
Business with an emphasis in either Marketing or Finance.
Where top tournaments (if you know) will you be playing in this Fall, Winter and/or Spring?
Fury Platinum X played at Scenic City and upcoming is T-Bolts 5 Star and later the Alliance regional and national championships and the Colorado Sparkler.
What’s something about you off the field that not many know?
I get very, very competitive when it comes to board and card games.
Where would you like to be in 10 years? 20 years?
I’ll have my degree, a great job, coaching softball where I can pass the dream along and glorifying God!
