UK Softball sweeps another double-header in Boca Raton

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The No. 12/14 UK Softball team was back in action on Thursday for the first day of the FAU Strikeout Cancer Classic. This is the third weekend in a row the ‘Cats have ventured to an away tournament — and once again they did not disappoint.

Game #1 – Kentucky v. Jacksonville University

Rachel Lawson and her No. 14 ranked Wildcats began today’s double-header with a match against the Jacksonville University Dolphins. Starting pitcher Sloan Gayan had a quick 1-2-3 inning and it was go-time from there. The Kentucky offense roared to life early, recording seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the first.

The Dolphins did manage to get three runs of their own in the second, nearly cutting the UK lead in half. The Wildcat defense fought back, though, led by a strong showing from short stop Erin Coffel and Miranda Stoddard at third.

Lauren Johnson hit a solo homer early in the second to extend the lead to 8-3, but no other Wildcats could convert. The score stayed there until Coffel stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fourth. She hit an absolute bomb down the left-field line, scoring Johnson and Nesby before crossing home herself. The homer was Coffel’s second and Kentucky’s fourth of the game.

Jacksonville looked to have some more momentum in the fifth after back-to-back hits and a run scored, but a second Wildcat double play ended the inning with no further damage. Kowalik’s single to right field in the bottom of the fifth ended the game. The ‘Cats took it 12-4 in five innings and moved to 10-1 on the season.

Game #2 – Kentucky at Florida Atlantic University

Game two was a bit more competitive, but not by much. Coffel started things off offensively (shocking) for the ‘Cats with an RBI sac-fly to center field to score Kayla Kowalik and take a quick 1-0 lead. Both teams were quiet the following few innings until Taylor Ebbs’ two-RBI double that extended the Kentucky lead to 3-0.

Erin Coffel, the SEC player of the week, hit another homer in the seventh to extend the lead to 6-0, marking her third long ball of the day. Renee Abernathy wanted in on the fun too, so she hit one of her own on the next Wildcat at-bat. Kentucky led 7-0 heading to the bottom of the inning.

Stephanie Schoonover was pretty excellent on the mound for UK. She had a no-hitter until the seventh inning when the Owls spoiled all the fun with a lead-off single. Schoonover threw six innings allowing only two hits and striking out five FAU batters.

The ‘Cats ended up taking the 7-3 win, giving them another perfect double-header. After some schedule changes, they will play only one game on Friday against Columbia at 1:30 p.m.