Kentucky Softball run rules Miami (OH) in NCAA Tournament opener

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The No. 15 Kentucky Softball team started the postseason off with a bang on Friday afternoon. The ‘Cats run-ruled Miami (OH) 15-1 in the 2022 NCAA Tournament opener of the Blacksburg (VA) Regional to move on to the winner’s bracket. UK will next play the region’s top overall team, 3-seeded Virginia Tech, on Saturday.

RECAP: ‘Cats find a hot bat in Blacksburg

Miami scored first with a homer to left field from Karli Spaid. Though just a sophomore, Spaid ranks No. 1 in all-time career home runs at Miami. Friday afternoon marked her 28th of the season.

It was all blue from there, though. Senior catcher Kayla Kowalik responded with a solo long shot of her own, knotting things at 1-1. Erin Coffel followed with a two-RBI homer shortly after, making it 3-1 in favor of the ‘Cats. It must’ve looked like fun, because Renee Abernathy decided to hit one as well, extending the UK lead to 4-1 with their third homer of the inning.

The second inning wasn’t much different. A pair of singles from Coffel and Meeko Harrison pushed the lead to 7-1. Taylor Ebbs ended the inning with a monster three-RBI home run to center field, making it 10-1.

Coffel singled again in the third for another RBI. Ebbs added another home run to start the fourth and extend the lead to 12-1. The final nail in the RedHawk coffin came via a three-RBI bomb from none other than Coffel (again). It was her seventh RBI of the game, helping the ‘Cats leave the field early with a 15-1 win.

Kentucky pitcher Stephanie Schoonover was solid after allowing that lone Miami run in the first. She struck out five of the 20 batters she faced and allowed just three hits total.

The ‘Cats will face the host Virginia Tech Hokies next, the No. 3 overall seed in the tournament. The two teams played back in February in the Northern Lights Southern Lights Tournament, where the Hokies won 6-1 in six innings.

Virgnia Tech beat St. Francis 4-0 Friday afternoon to advance in the winner’s bracket. Hokie pitcher Keely Rochard threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts.

Saturday’s game will begin at 3:00 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on ESPN+.