Rule Technicality Costs Kentucky Softball a Comeback Win over Top 10 Texas
Unexpected rain washed out the two slated Saturday games for the ‘cats but they were able to pick up play on Sunday afternoon at the 2023 NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
After a day off for the team, they came out flat against the Texas Longhorns early Sunday.
Rain, rain, go away
Strong wind and dust conditions were not in Kentucky’s favor.
The ‘cats came out slow in the first four innings and got down 4-0.
Junior Vanessa Nesby was the x-factor in this game for UK.
After getting a hit that put her on first, Nesby was able to steal and make it to third after an overthrown ball to second from the Longhorn’s catcher.
Kentucky gets a spark
Sophomore Hallie Mitchell hit a line drive to the seam between left and center field. This gave Nesby the opportunity to put the ‘cats on the board, making it 4-1 in the fifth.
UK was able to get a quick three and out, leaving the score at 4-1 going into the sixth inning.
Junior Erin Coffel and Sophomore Taylor Ebbs found the sweet spot of the barrel in the top of the sixth to bring in three more runs. This tied the game up at 4-4.
All tied up
Going into the bottom of the sixth, it was all tied up.
Neither team could find another score in the seventh.
Going into the eighth, due to a drop-dead rule that the tournament had in place, the game had to stop at 3:30 pm.
This rule gave each team only 23 minutes left to get a run in.
In the top of the eighth the ‘cats took the pressure in stride.
They were not afraid to step up to the plate. Freshman standout Karissa Hamilton hit a two-run double giving the ‘cats their first lead of the day.
Nesby was not finished making plays and dropped a single in the hole to bring a run in and make the score 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth.
What the heck is the drop-dead rule
The Longhorns took to the plate with only 8 minutes remaining before the game ended due to the drop-dead rule.
The ‘cats were able to secure two quick outs off of a flyball and strikeout.
After obtaining the strikeout, only one minute remained in the game.
Needing only one more out, the time ran out.
Due to still needing one more out and the count being at 0-2, the game ended.
The rule states that if the inning is not finished then the score reverts back to where it was at the end of the most recently completed inning.
Although the ‘cats were robbed of the win due to this rule, they still fought back to win the game.
Bright future for the ‘cats
This match up against Texas rounded out play for UK at the 2023 NFCA Lead-Off Classic. They found much success after finishing undefeated.
Kentucky will look towards their upcoming tournament in North Texas that will begin next Friday, February 17th.
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