Kentucky Softball Beats Saint Louis; 2 Wildcats Earn National Awards

Kentucky softball swept Missouri over the weekend, which led to juniors Erin Coffel and Stephanie Schoonover earning the NFCA National Player/Pitcher of the week.

The duo’s stellar play did not end over the weekend as the ‘Cats traveled to Saint Louis University on Tuesday to face the Bilikens. Up first on the mound for UK was senior pitcher Sloan Gayan.

But before Gayan could even take the mound, Coffel got the team rolling with a two-run home-run at the top of the first.

HOME RUN ERIN COFFEL!

It scores two as KK led off with a single, and it's quickly 2-0, Wildcats!

📊 https://t.co/mwAT0SBOuB #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/nu85u1uAnA
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) March 14, 2023

Coffel brings the boom

The homer gave the ‘Cats an early 2-0 lead.

Gayan did not disappoint as she held Saint Louis to no runs scored going into the third. Neither team had much luck on offense in the third as the score remained 2-0 heading into the fourth.

The offensive struggles continued for Kentucky in the fourth with no runs scored going into the bottom of the inning. The Widlcats’ defense fell apart in the bottom of the fourth after Saint Louis put two runners on base with no outs.

Head coach Rachel Lawson would bring in sophomore Alexia Lacatena to relieve Gayan.

Alexia Lacatena will enter to pitch with two on and no outs in the bottom of the fourth.

📊 https://t.co/mwAT0SBOuB #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/QIYOXPc5Mf
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) March 14, 2023

Lacatena successfully switched the momentum and got three straight outs on two strikeouts to close out the fourth with the score still at 2-0. But the momentum took a turn for the worse in the bottom of the fifth as Lacatena gave up a three-run homer to give SLU a 3-2 lead.

Woes are over for Kentucky

Hitting woes for Kentucky ended at the top of the sixth as junior Grace Lorsung took to the plate. The former Indiana transfer sent a ball out of the park for a two-run homer to give the ‘Cats the lead once again at 4-3.

Schoonover would then take over the mound for UK at the bottom of the sixth, clearing Saint Louis’ batters in the process to help Kentucky hold onto the lead into the final inning.

Coffel continues to shine

Coffel drilled her second homer of the night in the top of the seventh, which brought in two more for the ‘Cats and gave them a game-defining 6-3 lead. Schoonover and Kentucky’s defense locked down in the bottom of the seventh to round out the game as UK locked up the win.

The ‘Cats will head back to the Bluegrass for the 2023 John Cropp Classic this weekend in Lexington, KY. Kentucky was originally scheduled to play Liberty at home on Thursday, but that game was canceled due to a scheduling conflict.