UK Softball sweeps another series, catching fire in time for SEC Tournament

Kentucky Softball (37-12, 13-11 SEC) sweeps their second straight conference series with a huge walk-off homerun by senior Mallory Peyton, right before heading to Tuscaloosa for the SEC Tournament. Back at home, the Wildcats beat South Carolina (25-25, 4-20 SEC) 3-2 in extra innings in game three (the second of a doubleheader), sweeping back-to-back conference opponents.

Kayla Kowalik and Lauren Johnson both went 2-4, with Kowalik scoring a run, and Johnson getting the RBI. With only a one-run lead heading into the 7^th inning, South Carolina tied the game on a contested call. However, Mallory Peyton was the star, finishing the game with an RBI and a walk-off home run, her only hit in four plate appearances.

WALK IT OFF ON YOUR SENIOR DAY, MAL!!!!!

Peyton ends it on a solo HR as UK gets its second-straight SEC sweep!!#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/aKMLAfWMIF

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 8, 2021

Autumn Humes, who has been on fire for the last two series, started game three, pitching six innings and totaling a 2.29 ERA while striking out five batters, allowing only one run and five hits. Tatum Spangler came in relief, pitching two innings, walking one batter, while giving up two hits, a run, and getting the win.

Nice 1-2-3 inning for Humes in the circle as she gets the Gamecocks in order.

Middle of the sixth – UK 2, USC 1

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— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 8, 2021

The Gamecocks, who had not been swept in a series since the start of April, tried a few different pitchers. Rachel Vaughan pitched 2.1 innings, giving up five hits and one run while striking out two batters, while Kelsey Oh pitched the most, getting to 3.2 innings while allowing another run and walking one batter. Leah Powell took the loss, falling to 9-6 on the season as she struck out a batter and allowed the walk-off home run to Peyton.

A lead-off walk by Smith and an error on a Stoddard bunt put two on with no outs as the lineup turns over for Kowalik.

USC will make a pitching change to Powell.

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— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 8, 2021

Mackenzie Boesel went 3-4 for South Carolina as she hit a solo home run at the top of the 5^th to put the Gamecocks on the board, breaking their career home run record as well while freshman Carlie Henderson accumulated two hits in her three plate appearances. The only ones with an RBI were Boesel and Kenzi Maguire, who had hit the home run in game two.

T5: RECORD-BREAKING BOESEL BOMB! @mackenzieboesel with a solo shot to put Carolina on the board and break the school record for career home runs! pic.twitter.com/2JbAtGVLpX

— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) May 8, 2021

Kentucky ends Senior day with a literal bang–a home run to finish off another series sweep. The softball team is catching fire at the right time, with two straight SEC series victories before heading to Tuscaloosa for the conference tournament.