Kentucky Softball avoids sweep to Alabama in Tuscaloosa
The tough weekend for Kentucky athletics traveled beyond basketball. After an impressive start to the season, No. 8 Kentucky Softball has lost three of their last four games. Over the weekend, the ‘Cats traveled to Alabama to take on the No. 3 Crimson Tide in their SEC opener.
Kentucky was able to avoid the sweep by securing a 9-4 win in the series-closer on Sunday, but dropped both contests on Friday and Saturday by a combined score of 7-4. Here’s how it went down.
Friday: ‘Cats drop opener 4-2
The ‘Cats started the series on Friday night from Tuscaloosa. They gave up a run early in the first after a defensive miscue in the outfield, giving the Tide a slim lead. It wouldn’t last long, though. Kentucky took the lead after an Erin Coffel single to right field. Rylea Smith scored from second, and Lauren Johnson made it all the way from first after ‘Bama recorded an error of their own.
Both defenses stood strong the next inning. It was until the bottom of the fifth when things would turn rough for the ‘Cats. After punching the lead-off out, UK allowed four straight hits. That, along with a hit ‘Bama batter, loaded the bases. Ally Shipman doubled to the left side shortly after to give the Tide back a 3-2 lead. An RBI single from Kaylee Tow would follow and extended the lead to two runs.
Kentucky’s offense could not respond in the following innings, giving ‘Bama the 4-2 win. Alabama’s Montana Fouts was incredible from the mound (once again). Fouts, a Grayson, KY native, gave up just four hits in a complete seven innings pitched. The senior recorded 10 strikeouts, retiring the last 13 Wildcat batters.
Alexia Lacatena got the start for UK. Lacatena was impressive, but perhaps just didn’t have the experience of her ‘Bama counterpart. The former Team Italy Olympian pitched 4.1 innings, allowing six hits, three runs and walking none.
Saturday: Another tight loss
Saturday afternoon’s game was just as close. The ‘Cats lost a tight 3-2 contest at Rhoads Stadium in front of almost 4,000 fans. The ‘Cats left seven runners on base throughout the match, five of them in scoring position.
Kentucky graduate student Lauren Johnson hit a solo homer in the top of the first to give the ‘Cats an early 1-0 lead. Alabama senior Ashley Prange hit one of her own in the bottom of the inning, though, giving the Tide a one-run lead.
Both defenses dug in the next few innings, leaving the score at 2-1. Alabama scored again in the bottom of the fifth after loading the bases with no outs. Kentucky pitcher Miranda Stoddard and the rest of the Kentucky defense minimized the damage, though, only giving up one more run. Stoddard gave up five hits in six innings pitched.
Kentucky added one more in the top of the sixth to pull within a run. They managed to get a runner on base in the seventh, but a failed bunt attempt ended the game. Alabama’s Lexi Kilfoyl got the win from the circle. Kilfoyl is now 4-2 on the season. She struck out a season-high seven Wildcat batters on Saturday.
Sunday: ‘Cats steal one in series-finale
Kentucky ended the series on a high note with a 9-3 win over the No. 3 Crimson Tide on Sunday afternoon. Though it came a little late on the weekend, the win kept ‘Bama from sweeping the ‘Cats and handing them their fourth straight loss.
UK scored again first in this one thanks to a solo homer from Miranda Stoddard in the top of the second. Alabama struck back quickly with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A solo homer from Bailey Downing tied the game, and an error and RBI double shortly after gave the Tide a 3-1 lead.
But it was all Wildcat offense from there. Erin Coffel doubled to left-center in the third, tying the game at 3-3. Another hit from Stoddard just minutes later scored Coffel and Johnson, giving the ‘Cats a two-run lead. Kentucky tacked on another in the fourth and two more in the fifth, extending their lead to 8-3.
There was certainly some fatigue from the Alabama bullpen today. After their impressive efforts the last two days, ‘Bama stars Montana Fouts and Lexi Kilfoyl struggled on Sunday. Fouts gave up five runs in her first 2.1 innings pitched. Kilfoyl tried it out next but went on to give up four of her own (one from a defensive error).
Sophomore Jaala Torrence came in to relieve Kilfoyl in the sixth. The Dothan, AL native gave up one run right after she entered the game but successfully quelled the hot Wildcat offense afterward. Alabama threatened the Wildcats in the bottom of the seventh, but could only tack on one more. Savannah Woodard grounded out to Izzy Harrison at first base to end the game, giving Kentucky a 9-3 win.
With the Win, Kentucky is now 20-5 on the season. They will next welcome the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners to Lexington on Tuesday, March 22. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game can be seen on the SEC Network.
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