University of Georgia Athletics

Senior Natalie Ray during a game against Mercer at the Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Ga. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Photo by: Ethan Levine/UGAAA
Ray Named SEC Player of the Week
March 31, 2026 | Softball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Outfielder Natalie Ray was named the Southeastern conference Player of the Week for her performances in last Wednesday's midweek clash with Mercer and the weekend series at Kentucky.
SEC Player of the Week – Georgia's Natalie Ray, a senior outfielder from Covington, Ga., batted a team-best .714 over four wins this past week while also leading the team in RBIs (11), home runs (2), slugging percentage (1.714) and on-base percentage (.750). On Wednesday against Mercer, Ray went 2-for-3 at the plate as she knocked a two-run home run and an RBI single in the run-rule win. In game one at Kentucky, she launched a three-RBI double as a pinch hitter to put Georgia up 10-2 and in position for the six-inning run-rule victory. In game two, Ray recorded her 100th career hit with a grand slam to put Georgia up 4-0 and finished the day 2-for-3 and five RBIs to help her squad earn the series sweep.
Ray is Georgia's first conference player of the week recipient since Jayda Kearney during the 2023 season. She is also the third different Bulldog under Coach Tony Baldwin's leadership to earn the honor. Two different Georgia players have been named SEC Pitcher of the Week under his guidance, as well.
Georgia is on the road again this weekend to take on No. 15 Texas A&M from Thursday, Apr. 2 through Saturday, Apr. 4 before returning home next Wednesday, Apr. 8 to host USC-Upstate at the Jack Turner Stadium.
Tickets for all Bulldog home games can be found on GeorgiaDogs.com.
SEC Player of the Week – Georgia's Natalie Ray, a senior outfielder from Covington, Ga., batted a team-best .714 over four wins this past week while also leading the team in RBIs (11), home runs (2), slugging percentage (1.714) and on-base percentage (.750). On Wednesday against Mercer, Ray went 2-for-3 at the plate as she knocked a two-run home run and an RBI single in the run-rule win. In game one at Kentucky, she launched a three-RBI double as a pinch hitter to put Georgia up 10-2 and in position for the six-inning run-rule victory. In game two, Ray recorded her 100th career hit with a grand slam to put Georgia up 4-0 and finished the day 2-for-3 and five RBIs to help her squad earn the series sweep.
Ray is Georgia's first conference player of the week recipient since Jayda Kearney during the 2023 season. She is also the third different Bulldog under Coach Tony Baldwin's leadership to earn the honor. Two different Georgia players have been named SEC Pitcher of the Week under his guidance, as well.
Georgia is on the road again this weekend to take on No. 15 Texas A&M from Thursday, Apr. 2 through Saturday, Apr. 4 before returning home next Wednesday, Apr. 8 to host USC-Upstate at the Jack Turner Stadium.
Tickets for all Bulldog home games can be found on GeorgiaDogs.com.
Players Mentioned
Georgia Softball vs Mercer Postgame Interviews
Wednesday, March 25
Georgia Softball vs. Mississippi State Highlights
Sunday, March 22
Georgia Softball - Head Coach Tony Baldwin Postgame Interview vs Mississippi State
Saturday, March 21
Georgia Softball vs Mississippi St. Postgame Highlights
Friday, March 20



