Two pitchers interested in returning to UK as litigation continues over NCAA eligibility

Bat Cats Central has learned that left-handed pitcher Jackson Soucie and right-handed pitcher Ira Austin could return to the program next season, depending on the outcome of litigation involving the NCAA's five-for-five eligibility model.

When the NCAA passed new eligibility rules in June, it stated that athletes from the 2022 class who had completed four seasons of eligibility and did not redshirt would not be granted an additional year. But on July 31, U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado ruled that athletes who exhausted their fourth year of college eligibility this past spring are eligible for their fifth season in 2026-27.

The NCAA appealed the ruling, but that hasn't stopped players in other sports from making decisions for next year. An on campus example is linebacker Alex Afari. Kentucky football coach Will Stein said on Saturday that Afari, a 2022 high school graduate who played in 48 games from 2022-25, has been cleared to practice with the team while the school awaits a final ruling on whether he can play in games.

Both Soucie and Austin are currently pitching in independent professional leagues. Austin has made 14 appearances with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer Baseball League, and Soucie has appeared in nine games for Capitales de Québec of the Frontier League.

Austin led the Wildcats with 25 appearances in 2026, but Soucie was right behind him with 24 appearances. A transfer from New Orleans, Austin posted a 7.63 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 15.1 innings pitched.

Soucie had a 3.48 ERA over 20.2 innings. He closed out the opening round win over Wake Forest and started the final game of the Morgantown Regional, holding West Virginia to one earned run over three innings. Given Kentucky's lack of experience from lefties in the bullpen, Soucie's potential return could provide a big boost to the group.

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Kentucky currently has 21 pitchers on the staff for next season. Weekend starters Ben Cleaver and Nate Harris are set to return, but there will be many new faces on the staff next year. Seven pitchers are set to join the program from the freshman class, along with junior college right-hander Dylan McIntyre. The Wildcats also added four pitchers from the transfer portal during the offseason.

2026 Kentucky baseball roster tracker

This page will be your one-stop shop for all roster moves during Kentucky’s 2026 offseason. It will evolve over the offseason until all roster moves are complete.

Bat Cats CentralDerek Terry