Kentucky Pushes Forward in the Regional Final, Beats Utah 4-0
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@SECNetwork[/caption]
A fantastic four-run third inning elevated Kentucky over Utah, forcing one final game in the Regional Tournament. With a 1-1 head-to-head record in this tournament, the grudge match will determine who moves on to the Super Regional to take on Florida State and who will have to hang up their cleats for the final time this season.
The game began like the Wildcats' early Saturday loss to the Utes. A two-run homer in the first inning of yesterday's game was all Utah needed to win. After a sluggish offensive performance, UK gave up two early hits to the Utes. Instead of faltering, the Wildcats recovered, forcing an out at third on their way to ending the inning without any blood.
The Kentucky offense looked much better today, putting runners in a position to score early, and often. It paid off in a wild third inning.
With a runner on second, lead-off hitter Sylver Samuels slapped one into play. A Utah overthrow at first put Kentucky on the board first. Nikki Sagermann had two outs and two strikes on the board when she roped one into left field to drive home Samuels. It was capped off with a two-run BOMB from Abbey Cheek over the left field fence for a 4-0 lead.
@SECNetwork[/caption]
A fantastic four-run third inning elevated Kentucky over Utah, forcing one final game in the Regional Tournament. With a 1-1 head-to-head record in this tournament, the grudge match will determine who moves on to the Super Regional to take on Florida State and who will have to hang up their cleats for the final time this season.
The game began like the Wildcats' early Saturday loss to the Utes. A two-run homer in the first inning of yesterday's game was all Utah needed to win. After a sluggish offensive performance, UK gave up two early hits to the Utes. Instead of faltering, the Wildcats recovered, forcing an out at third on their way to ending the inning without any blood.
The Kentucky offense looked much better today, putting runners in a position to score early, and often. It paid off in a wild third inning.
With a runner on second, lead-off hitter Sylver Samuels slapped one into play. A Utah overthrow at first put Kentucky on the board first. Nikki Sagermann had two outs and two strikes on the board when she roped one into left field to drive home Samuels. It was capped off with a two-run BOMB from Abbey Cheek over the left field fence for a 4-0 lead.
Kelsey Nunley relieved Meagan Prince in the sixth inning to put the game away, ending the game with a swinging strikeout. After watching these teams duke it out twice, their final match will surely be a showdown.#RoadtoWCWS @UKsoftball Abby Cheek's 2 run homer gives Wildcats 4-0 vs Utahhttps://t.co/iinkjK2dbT
– ESPNU (@ESPNU) May 22, 2016
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