Kentucky Softball Smokes EKU 10-2 in Midweek Matchup
Kentucky softball came away with a midweek dub after a tough weekend at home.
The No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats (28-15-1; 8-10 SEC) faced off against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (25-21; 7-11 ASUN) on Wednesday night. The midweek match-up marked the last one of the season for the ‘Cats as the postseason is quickly approaching.
After a series loss to No. 16 Arkansas over the weekend, the 10-2 win was a much-needed victory for UK.
Schoonover back for the ‘Cats
Wednesday night started off big for UK as junior star pitcher, Stephanie Schoonover, returned to the circle for the first time since March 26.
Schoonover came out with an immediate K. Seeming a little rusty, she walked the next two batters and allowed a RBI single which led to EKU taking an early 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the first. Kentucky responded though, as power hitter Erin Coffel led off and hit a rocket over the left field fence to tie the game at 1-1.
The “grandma” of the team, graduate student Kayla Kowalik, was up next and hit a grounder that landed her on second after a Colonel error.
The offense for UK was on a roll in the first as Kowalik was brought home by a single shot from Scott County alum Kennedy Sullivan. Sophomore Taylor Ebbs was walked, so the ‘Cats had two on with no outs against them and an early 2-1 lead.
Another EKU error gave Ebbs the room to make it home and tack on another run making it 3-1 still with no outs. After a fly-out and K, the Wildcats had two quick outs against them. A ground out finally gave EKU their final out to go into the second with the ‘Cats ahead by two runs.
Off of a pop fly, UK got their first out of the second inning. Senior Rylea Smith caught another pop fly moving backward toward the wall to get the second out. The Wildcats went back on offense after a ground out put an end to the top of the second.
Big nights for Coffel and Kowalik
To start the bottom of the second, Coffel was walked with Kowalik up on deck.
Kowalik hit a rocket over the left fielder’s head to bring Coffel home giving UK the 4-1 lead. In the top of the third, Sullivan took over pitching for Kentucky. After a ground out, Sullivan gave up a single homer to allow the Colonels to cut the deficit down to 4-2. Sullivan got the ‘Cats out of a shaky situation with a K as the bases were loaded.
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In the bottom of the third, Kentucky struggled on offense as Smith quickly grounded out to second.
The offense continued to struggle as UK was unable to score any in the third, staying ahead 4-2. Sullivan looked to hold the Colonels in the top of the fourth, but unfortunately, she was unable to do so and gave up two hits with two outs. Senior Sloan Gayan came in for relief in the top of the fourth. Gayan was able to get Kentucky out of their pickle and send it to the bottom of the fourth.
Kowalik remained steady in the bottom of the inning as she landed on first with two outs against her. Sophomore Taylor Ebbs was up next and was walked as UK had now two on base. Sullivan rocked a ball to center field, but it was caught as both teams headed into the fifth with the score still at 4-2.
In the top of the fifth, Gayan and the Kentucky defense held Eastern to no runs scored.
Kentucky offense catches fire
It was still a 4-2 ball game in the bottom of the fifth with junior Grace Lorsung up at the plate for UK. Lorsung hit a pop-up into center field that was able to drop. Smith was up next as she hit a dinger out of the park to give Kentucky a 6-2 lead. With two walks and a bunt, the ‘Cats had bases loaded and only one out. Kowalik hit a line drive to short which was overthrown at home and allowed two runs to score making it 8-2.
Still with only one out against them, the Wildcats scored again giving them a seven-run lead at 9-2. The bases were loaded again as Kentucky looked to tally on another run. They would get that run and put an end to the game up 10-2 in mercy-rule fashion.
Up next for the ‘Cats is a trip to Mississippi State on Friday at 7 p.m. in Starkville. Kentucky’s last home series is the following weekend against Florida before they head on to the SEC Tournament.
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