Kentucky Softball Routed by Back-to-Back Champions Oklahoma
No. 16 Kentucky Softball was run-ruled 18-0 by No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday night in Norman, Oklahoma.
The ‘Cats started out slow at the plate in the first inning and couldn’t find any runs. Junior pitcher Stephanie Schoonover took the mound for UK in the bottom of the first.
Schoonover struggled with strikeouts, and errors in defense led to three runs for Oklahoma giving the Sooners a 3-0 lead early in the game. It was the same old story for the ‘Cats in the second.
Kentucky had no luck on the offensive side and it was even worse on the defensive end.
Schoonover had one out and the bases loaded as the Sooners sent one outside the park for a grand slam, adding four to their lead to make it 7-0. Head coach Rachel Lawson opted for a change on the mound in the bottom of the third, swapping out Schoonover for graduate student Kennedy Sullivan.
Although the ‘Cats were still unlucky at the plate at the top of the third, UK’s pitching held the Sooners to no runs scored. Heading into the fourth, another pitching change occurred for Kentucky as senior Sloan Gayan came in for Sullivan.
Things looking down for UK
The fourth inning was brutal for the ‘Cats in every way possible. The scoring slump continued for Kentucky with no runs brought in once again.
Gayan lasted for less than half of the bottom of the fourth as she gave up multiple runs. The fourth pitching change happened for the ‘Cats as sophomore pitcher Izzy Harrison came in to try and bring a spark on defense.
Altogether, Kentucky gave up 11 runs in the fourth alone, giving Oklahoma an 18-0 lead.
After another drought-filled fifth and a last chance opportunity for UK, the game was over due to college softball’s run rule. If a team is leading by eight or more in the fifth then the game can be called by the umpires. Therefore, the ‘Cats were routed 18-0 by Oklahoma in five innings.
Heading into the weekend, Kentucky will face UIC at 1:30 pm on Saturday. Directly after that game, the ‘Cats will have a chance to even the score as they take on Oklahoma once again at 4:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+ in Norman on Saturday afternoon.
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