Kentucky starts off slow; bounces back to split doubleheader
The Kentucky softball team started their weekend at the I-75 Tournament in Atlanta, GA, on Friday. The Wildcats started off slow with a 3-1 loss to Coastal Carolina but came up huge in their second game to shut out Georgia Tech 10-0.
Wildcats Struggle At The Plate
In their first game at the I-75 Tournament, Kentucky lost to Coastal Carolina 3-1. In the last three games, the Wildcats have only scored five runs, a large decrease from their opening weekend numbers.
Head coach Rachel Lawson depends on strong base running and sac-bunts for the majority of the offense so far this season. Kentucky is currently 7th in the nation in sac-bunts. But, the base running errors was a huge issue for Kentucky in this game, possibly costing them the win.
In the 4th inning, Allie Blum started Kentucky off with a triple, putting her in scoring position with no outs. Up next, Peyton Plotts hit a grounder that resulted in Blum being thrown out at third base. Kentucky was able to score one run in the inning, but robbed themselves of crucial extra runs.
Onto the 5th, Kentucky had Emory Donaldson and Ally Hutchins on second and third with one out. McKenzie Bump laid down a bunt and Donaldson tried to run home. She was called out at the plate, once again robbing Kentucky of another run.
Defensively, the Kentucky pitchers have been solid the whole season, but have given up a few too many home runs recently. Both Sydney Langdon and Sarah Haendiges gave up one against Coastal Carolina on Friday, the difference in the game.
Despite the home runs, Kentucky should feel confident in their pitching rotation and will be looking for more offensive production to compliment them.
Kentucky Bounces Back
After a tough start to the day, Kentucky comes back to run rule Georgia Tech 10-0. The bats were brought back to life for the Wildcats, ending a three game offensive drought due to some changes in the lineup.
Coach Lawson switched the batting order for this game on Friday, trying to produce more offense. The changes clearly made a difference. Kentucky was scoreless after two innings, but huge hits from Peyton Plotts and Delani Sullivan seemed to recharge the offense.
Plotts was able to bring in three runs in the third inning with a huge double over the left fielder’s glove. For Sullivan, she earned her first RBI of the season on a solo HR over the right field fence.
The rest of the Kentucky offense sparked after those hits, scoring five runs in the fifth inning to get a run rule over Georgia Tech. This was a step in the right direction for the Wildcats, desperately needing a win after three straight losses.
Alexia Lacatena started and finished on the mound for Kentucky. She is having a great start to her senior year, shutting out Georgia Tech with four strikeouts. The pitching continues to be a highlight for this team.
I-75 Tournament Schedule
Kentucky will play another doubleheader on Saturday against Memphis (12 p.m. EST) and a rematch with Georgia Tech (3:30 p.m. EST). They will end their weekend on Sunday against Kennesaw State (11 a.m. EST).
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