Rule Technicality Costs Kentucky Softball a Comeback Win over Top 10 Texas

Erin Coffel stretches — Photo by | UK Athletics

Unexpected rain washed out the two slated Saturday games for the ‘cats but they were able to pick up play on Sunday afternoon at the 2023 NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Florida.

After a day off for the team, they came out flat against the Texas Longhorns early Sunday.

Rain, rain, go away

Strong wind and dust conditions were not in Kentucky’s favor.

The ‘cats came out slow in the first four innings and got down 4-0.

Junior Vanessa Nesby was the x-factor in this game for UK.

After getting a hit that put her on first, Nesby was able to steal and make it to third after an overthrown ball to second from the Longhorn’s catcher.

Kentucky gets a spark

Sophomore Hallie Mitchell hit a line drive to the seam between left and center field. This gave Nesby the opportunity to put the ‘cats on the board, making it 4-1 in the fifth.

Hallie Mitchell hammers an RBI single into LF to score Nesby from third and we're on the board!

4-1, Texas; Top 5th

📺 Gamechanger App
💻 https://t.co/7NOFwjjLWU
📊 https://t.co/fRxhwEK7yg @NFCAorg x #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/IJaB8t6Z79
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) February 12, 2023

UK was able to get a quick three and out, leaving the score at 4-1 going into the sixth inning.

Junior Erin Coffel and Sophomore Taylor Ebbs found the sweet spot of the barrel in the top of the sixth to bring in three more runs. This tied the game up at 4-4.

All tied up

Going into the bottom of the sixth, it was all tied up.

Neither team could find another score in the seventh.

Going into the eighth, due to a drop-dead rule that the tournament had in place, the game had to stop at 3:30 pm.

This rule gave each team only 23 minutes left to get a run in.

In the top of the eighth the ‘cats took the pressure in stride.

A GAMECHANGER !

Freshman Karissa Hamilton comes up CLUTCH for the CATS driving in two runs to give @UKsoftball the lead in extras !#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/WJkCFOK9ls
— GameChanger (@GCsports) February 12, 2023

They were not afraid to step up to the plate. Freshman standout Karissa Hamilton hit a two-run double giving the ‘cats their first lead of the day.

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Nesby was not finished making plays and dropped a single in the hole to bring a run in and make the score 7-4 going into the bottom of the eighth.

What the heck is the drop-dead rule

The Longhorns took to the plate with only 8 minutes remaining before the game ended due to the drop-dead rule.

The ‘cats were able to secure two quick outs off of a flyball and strikeout.

After obtaining the strikeout, only one minute remained in the game.

Needing only one more out, the time ran out.

Due to still needing one more out and the count being at 0-2, the game ended.

The rule states that if the inning is not finished then the score reverts back to where it was at the end of the most recently completed inning.

FINAL – Kentucky 4, Texas 4

With 1 out to go in the game and Texas' batter in an 0-2 count, our 3:30pm ET travel day drop-dead has been reached and the score reverts back to the most recently-completed inning.

The game will be recorded as a tie. pic.twitter.com/84KDQNS4R6
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) February 12, 2023

Although the ‘cats were robbed of the win due to this rule, they still fought back to win the game.