Kentucky Softball shut out 13-0 on Bark in the Park day

The ninth-ranked UK Softball team kicked off its latest homestand in lively fashion Saturday, facing the unranked Missouri Tigers for the first of three games. A solid crowd showed up for the afternoon tilt at John Cropp Stadium, many of whom brought along their furry friends for UK’s special “Bark in the Park” event. The only folks who didn’t show up were the Wildcat bats, as they were shut out 13-0 in five innings. Let’s talk about it.

Missouri hates dogs; ‘Cats run-ruled in Game 1

Spirits were high in Lexington entering the weekend. Kentucky was coming off a comeback win over EKU on Wednesday, the weather was perfect, and the hype was real for the joint baseball-softball “Bark in the Park” event taking place on Saturday. The softball social team even teased it earlier in the week with this paw-dorable promo video:

⚠️🐶⚠️🐶⚠️🐶⚠️🐶

Please listen to @tatum_spangler and @kswaggyyyy.

They have an important message regarding Saturday's game. #BarkInThePark x #BeTheStandard pic.twitter.com/DJ4QTtdHqJ

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) April 20, 2022

The game itself proved to be less interesting, with Missouri making it about as one-sided as you’ll ever see. The Tigers jumped all over Kentucky’s pitching early, tagging starter Sloan Gayan for a three-run homer in the first and handing four more to Miranda Stoddard on a second-inning grand slam. With just two swings of the bat — both courtesy of senior slugger Kimberly Wert — it was 7-0.

On offense, the ‘Cats were completely held in check by Missouri pitcher Jordan Weber. They put just three runners in scoring position all day and finished with more strikeouts (7) than hits (5). The only player to reach base multiple times was Kayla Kowalik, who went 2-3 with a pair of singles.

Mercifully for all those dogs out there in the heat, Missouri added two runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to put the game away, sending everyone home early. If anything, it just goes to show how committed the university is to provide the best possible fan experience.

FINAL/5 — Missouri 13, Kentucky 0

Game two of the series is Sunday at 7pm ET on @SECNetwork #WeAreUK x #BeTheStandard

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) April 23, 2022

The ‘Cats will be back in action Sunday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 on the SEC Network. They saved all their runs for this one, so you won’t want to miss it.