Seventh inning rally propels Kentucky Softball past No. 20 LSU 5-3

In the dying embers of its series finale against No. 20 LSU, the No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats mounted a four-run seventh inning in Baton Rouge, which led to a 5-3 win and series sweep over the Tigers.

The Cats (25-8, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) have now won four SEC games in a row, while handing LSU (22-15, 3-6 SEC) its fourth consecutive loss, three of which have come in comeback fashion at the hands of UK.

Both teams failed to make opportunities count early and often, as a total of 22 runners were left on base on Sunday afternoon. Kentucky outhit the Tigers 13-7 while leaving 12 runners on base compared to LSU’s 10.

Pitching holds steady early

The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the second inning, as UK starting pitcher Stephanie Schoonover threw a wild pitch with runners in scoring position, allowing Ali Newland to race home for the early 1-0 lead. This would be the lone run that Schoonover would allow, as she hurled three innings of four-hit ball, walking four and striking out three.

Kentucky would fail to get on the board until the top of the fourth, when Rylea Smith slapped one to second base that couldn’t be handled by the Tiger offense, allowing Tatum Spangler to score, evening the game at one apiece.

Both pitching staffs managed to work out of jams all afternoon, especially LSU starter Raelin Chaffin. The freshman pitched six innings for the Tigers, allowing just three runs despite UK tallying 11 hits against her.

Late inning heroics for Kentucky

Chaffin and the Tigers would take the lead into the seventh inning after tagging freshman Alexia Lacatena in the bottom of the sixth. Third baseman Danieca Coffey and center fielder Ciara Briggs would each wallop RBI doubles, securing a pair of runs to put LSU up 3-1.

With their backs against the wall, the ‘Cats would finally make their hits against Chaffin count. Erin Coffel and Renee Abernathy would trade places with doubles of their own, getting a run back for the Cats and forcing an LSU pitching change.

Tigers head coach Beth Torino opted for fifth-year senior Shelbi Sunseri, whom the ‘Cats had already faced previously in the series. After a Lauren Johnson fly out, Miranda Stoddard would put runners on the corners with a single, her lone hit of the game.

Spangler would head to the dish next with a chance to tie the game. She was first-pitch swinging, but Sunseri got the better of the senior, as Spangler dribbled out back to the mound. Stoddard would advance to second, leaving two runners in scoring position with two outs and the game on the line.

First baseman Meeko Harrison stepped up to the plate, and like Spangler, took a hack at the first pitch. It would pay off for the sophomore, as she drilled a single up the middle, scoring both Abernathy and Stoddard, giving the Cats the 4-3 lead.

Errors plague the Tigers

Errors would come to haunt the Tigers, as on the next play, Margaret Tobias rolled a grounder to short, which the shortstop Taylor Pleasants couldn’t handle, keeping the inning alive. Catcher Kayla Kowalik was up next, and she too would reach base after her grounder back to Sunseri on the ninth pitch of the at-bat was thrown away, allowing Harrison to trot home.

The Tigers would finish the game with four glaring errors on the scorebook.

Four hits and two errors in the top of the seventh equaled four runs for the ‘Cats, which now held a two-run lead going into the final half-inning.

Despite her 0-4 day at the plate, Spangler would notch the save for Kentucky, striking out right fielder McKenzie Redoutey to end the game.

Nine Wildcats would record a hit on Sunday, as clutch at-bats saved a sweep on the bayou. Kentucky will next look to snap a three-game non-conference losing streak on Wednesday, as the ‘Cats will head to Louisville for a matchup against the Cardinals.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 6 inside Ulmer Stadium.