Kentucky softball facing win-or-go-home game after losing to Northwestern

ZGeogheganKSR

kentucky-softball-facing-win-or-go-home-game-losing-northwestern — Photo via UK Athletics

Kentucky softball took the “L” on Saturday afternoon in Evanston, IL, but the Wildcats will have another chance to keep their NCAA Tournament run alive.

After falling to Northwestern by the high final score of 10-8 earlier this afternoon, Kentucky will return to Sharon J. Drysdale Field for an elimination matchup later tonight against the winner of the matchup between Miami (OH) or Eastern Illinois, which began at 3:30 p.m. EST.

If Kentucky wins, they’ll advance to the Evanston Regional final on Sunday afternoon to take on Northwestern for the second time with a chance to advance in the bracket. With this being a double-elimination scenario, UK would need to beat Northwestern twice on Sunday to make make it to the NCAA Super Regionals. However, a loss later tonight (or at any point the rest of the weekend) would send the Wildcats back to Lexington and end their 2023 season.

Kentucky will take on the winner of Miami (OH)-Eastern Illinois at 7:00 p.m. EST tonight on ESPN+.

It'll be win or go home tonight.#NCAASB x #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/wQ6SGADE0k
— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 20, 2023

Kentucky had an early scare against Miami (OH) in the NCAA Tournament opener on Friday afternoon, but an offensive explosion in the fifth and sixth innings ultimately allowed the ‘Cats to run-rule the Redhawks in just six innings, 9-1. UK will look to repeat that performance against Miami (OH) later tonight.

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Saturday’s outing against No. 12 Northwestern was only slightly more competitive, at least early on. Kentucky opened up the afternoon with a three-run first inning, which Northwestern followed up with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. UK would add another three runs in the second to take a commanding 6-2 lead, but the tides shifted completely in the bottom of the third.

Northwestern poured in eight third-inning runs to blow the game wide open, taking a 10-6 advantage in the blink of an eye. Kentucky managed to trim a couple of runs off that lead, but couldn’t muster up enough offense down the stretch, losing 10-8 when it was all said and done.

Now, the season is on the line for UK later tonight.