Hit parade! No. 8 Kentucky Softball run-rules Louisville in 9-0 win

It’s always a good day when the ‘Cats beat the ‘Cards — and it’s better when it’s not even close. That’s exactly what happened 60 miles west in Louisville on Tuesday, where No. 8 Kentucky Softball demolished the Cardinals 9-0 in only five innings. Kentucky pitcher Stephanie Schoonover was spectacular, throwing a no-hitter in the outing.

The ‘Cats wasted no time finding the board in this one. Sophomore shortstop Erin Coffel hammered a three-RBI homer with no outs to begin the hit parade. Just minutes later Taylor Ebbs smacked a two-RBI homer out of left-center, extending the Kentucky lead to 5-0.

💪 x @taylor_ebbs7 #WeAreUK x #BeTheStandard pic.twitter.com/APiGpENOkD

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) April 12, 2022

Starting pitcher Stephanie Schoonover walked her first batter, but dug in to finish the bottom of the inning strong. An athletic Kentucky double play ended the inning with no Cardinal runs scored.

The ‘Cats, however, had no intention of stopping there. Coffel hit another RBI in the second, pushing freshman Hallie Mitchell home. Lauren Johnson singled to left field next, sending Kayla Kowalik past home plate for another.

Schoonover retired the ‘Cards in order in the bottom of the inning. Both teams went scoreless in the third, but Kentucky found its mojo again in the top of the fourth. Kowalik scored off a high foul ball to make it 8-0. Renee Abernathy homered to left-field shortly after to make it 9-0, which is where the score would stay.

Coffel led Kentucky from behind the plate, ending with an impressive five RBI on the day. She leads the team with 51 on the season, as well as 13 home runs. Renee Abernathy is close behind with 36 season RBIs and 11 homers.

The shutout marked Schoonover’s fifth win of the season. She recorded four strikeouts and just two walks in her five innings pitched.