Renee Abernathy lifts UK Softball past #18 Auburn on walk-off slam
There’s no better way to raise the mood in your dugout than a runaway walk-off victory. And when it comes against a top-25 conference foe, it’s all the sweeter. That’s exactly what the eighth-ranked Kentucky softball team did on Friday, getting this weekend’s three-game home set vs. Auburn off on the right foot. Let’s talk about it.
Abernathy puts exclamation point on 11-3 win
UK entered Friday’s matchup with Auburn on an ice-cold spell by the program’s standards, riding a 1-4 record over their last five games. Granted, two of those losses came in Tuscaloosa last weekend against No. 3 Alabama — and the most recent came against the top-ranked team in the country in Oklahoma. There’s a reason they didn’t drop a spot in the latest USA Today coaches poll. But still, they were in need of a W or two to rebuild momentum approaching the midway point of the season.
They got that and then some on Friday, running No. 18 Auburn out of the building in a six-inning victory. The ‘Cats amassed 12 hits and 11 runs against Tiger pitching on the day, including a perfect 4-4 performance from junior Rylea Smith. They got all the offense they needed to collect their first SEC home win of the season.
The scoring started in the first inning, when Renee Abernathy roped a double that scored two of her teammates. They added another in the second on an RBI hit from Smith, then two more in the third on a double by Meeko Harrison. This proved more than enough to chase Auburn lefty starter Shelby Lowe from the game after allowing a season-high five earned runs.
Her replacement, KK Dismukes, was no more successful. The ‘Cats got to her for another run in the fourth, giving them a 6-3 advantage in the game. It stayed there for two innings, as senior Tatum Spangler tossed a scoreless 2.2 frames in relief of Alexia Lacatena. Then things got really fun.
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UK broke the game open and slammed it shut all in the bottom of the sixth. They scored a seventh run almost without trying, as Jaci Babbs got on with a bunt single then came around to score thanks to an error and a wild pitch. They proceeded to load the bases with a single, a fielder’s choice and a walk. That set the stage for Abernathy, and she knew just what to do.
The senior came through with her sixth home run of the year, giving UK a walk-off 11-3 victory by virtue of the eight-run-advantage rule. It capped a 2-3 day at the plate where Abernathy tied the single-game school record with six RBIs.
The win went to Lacatena, her sixth of the year. Lowe took her second loss for Auburn. The ‘Cats improved to 21-6 on the season and 2-2 in SEC play.
The ‘Cats and Tigers will be back in action at John Cropp Stadium on Saturday. First pitch of game two is scheduled for 1 p.m. If you’re in Lexington, you get tickets here.
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