Kentucky Softball is Smoked in Both Games of Saturday Doubleheader
Kentucky softball had a big day ahead of them. Unfortunately, things did not go well.
No. 20 Kentucky faced off against the No. 12 Arkansas in a doubleheader on Saturday after Friday’s game was rained out. The first game was set for 2 p.m. as the second would follow at 6 p.m. The Wildcats were fresh off a dominating 9-0 win over Northern Kentucky earlier this week to regain some momentum coming into a pivotal weekend.
Cats coming off a dub
The ‘Cats started on defense in both games. Kentucky native and graduate student Kennedy Sullivan took the pitch first. An error led to the Razorbacks getting an early score as it was a quick 1-0 lead for Arkansas. At the bottom of the first, it was a slow start at the plate for UK.
The second inning was similar to the first for Kentucky as they had no luck with their bats. This was the same for Arkansas as neither team was able to reign in a run and the score was still 1-0 going into the third.
Coffel brings hope for UK
The Razorbacks’ offense seemed to be drained at the top of the third. On the other hand, Kentucky saw some light at the end of the tunnel as junior and steady offensive presence,Erin Coffel hit a solo home-run that cleared center field to make it a tied game at 1-1. Although Coffel seemed to revive the UK offense in the third, at the top of the fourth a sac fly and RBI single for Arkansas got their bats going once again as the Hogs took a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.
With one on base and two outs against them, the ‘Cats luck had run dry for the fourth. At the end of the fifth, the score was 4-1 as Sullivan gave up another hit to allow the Razorbacks to score. A pitching change came at the top of the sixth as freshman Taylor Hess came in to relieve Sullivan. With all bases loaded at the top of the sixth, the Razorbacks took advantage and increased their lead by six.
Cats thrashed in game one
At the top of the seventh, it was a 7-1 lead for Arkansas after they had a quick 1-2-3 previous inning. Off of a miscommunication between the defense, the Wildcats gave up another run to make it an 8-1 game in Arkansas’ favor. Nothing changed on the offensive side for UK and Coffel was the only one who made any damage at the plate which led to an 8-1 loss for the ‘Cats to start the day.
After a short break, the Lady Bat ‘Cats were at it again at 6 p.m. The second game of the day had a similar start to the first with Kentucky being on defense at the top of the first. New Jersey native and sophomore pitcher Alexia Lacatena started in the circle. Arkansas had an electric start as a two-run homer gave them an early 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the first.
Better offensive start for Kentucky
Kentucky was not going to let that kind of start slide, and had some big hits of their own to take a 3-2 lead as the game went into the second. At the top of the second, the Razorbacks continued to find their rhythm on offense. Lacatena gave up a couple hits and was pulled quickly as senior reliever Sloan Gayan came to the circle for the ‘Cats. The change did not seem to do much as both girls combined allowed Arkansas to drive in nine runs making it an 11-3 game heading into the bottom of the inning.
The Wildcats had a decent offensive performance at the bottom of the second, but it was not good enough as they only cut their deficit to five as it was an 11-6 game at the top of the third. The road team then went yard to bring in two more for the Razorbacks.
Razorback offense is electric
The fourth was the first inning that Kentucky held Arkansas to no runs while the score remained 13-6. Although it looked like the ‘Cats had picked it up on defense, they were still not consistent on offense and were also held to no runs in the fourth.
At the top of the fifth, Gayan walked her first batter and hit her second to have two on early and no outs. Those two came back to bite the ‘Cats as Arkansas hit a double which brought another run in giving the Razorbacks an eight run lead. A quick ground out and strikeout to start the bottom of the fifth gave Arkansas their first two outs. With just one more score the game would be over due to the run-rule.
Another strikeout for the Razorbacks gave the ‘Cats a 14-6 loss. This loss gave Arkansas their first series win in Lexington since 2008. Although the series had already been decided, both teams will be back at John Cropp Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 for the last game.
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