UK Softball opens SEC Tournament with win over UGA

(UK Athletics | Chris Shoals)

The UK Softball team is off to a good start at the 2021 SEC Tournament in Tuscaloosa. On Wednesday night, they beat the 11-seed Georgia Bulldogs 3-0 to advance to the second round.

Though ranked No. 17 nationally, UK was the No. 6 seed in the tournament. The ‘Cats finished the regular season 13-11 in the SEC, tying LSU for fifth place. LSU won the tiebreaker after taking last month’s series in Lexington.

The ‘Cats took an early lead in the bottom of the first. After singles from Kayla Kowalik and Tatum Spangler, Erin Coffel was able to push a run through with an RBI single of her own. That’s all the Wildcat offense could find, though, and they left two stranded.

That a way to start us, Erin!

📺 SEC Network
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📊 https://t.co/3l2N86KVh1#WeAreUK | #SECSB pic.twitter.com/w3m10lWlqa

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 13, 2021

Coffel found home plate in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 2-0, but once again the ‘Cats could only push one through.

Miranda Stoddard joined the fun in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff solo homer to left field. It was her eighth of the season and the 72nd of the season for the team.

Can anyone in Lexington confirm this ball landed?!

📺 SEC Network
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📊 https://t.co/3l2N86KVh1#WeAreUK | #SECSB pic.twitter.com/5PWSw3grLe

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 13, 2021

Once again, Humes was incredible from the mound, striking out 10 Georgia batters throughout the game. After a double and a walk, she found herself in a bit of a jam in the top of the fifth. With only one out, Bulldog runners sat on first and second. The Wildcat defense wouldn’t waiver, though – thanks in large part to Humes’ lethal riseball.

Humes is one of only three pitchers in UK history to pitch a complete game shutout in the SEC Tournament – and she has done it twice. To put it simply, she is very good.

Kentucky will play No. 3 seed Alabama Thursday night from Tuscaloosa. The ‘Cats faced the Tide in March, taking the series after a walk-off in extra-innings to win the rubber match. Tomorrow’s rematch is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. The game will be on SEC Network.

Here is the full bracket:

TOURNEY TIME 🤩#SECSB x @SECSBTourney pic.twitter.com/YuOfeLBecQ

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) May 11, 2021

Go ‘Cats!