Kentucky softball snares a top-10 win on a record-setting day for one of its stars

The 18th-ranked University of Kentucky softball team picked up a pair of victories Thursday, including one over a top-10 team, on a day that turned out to be a record-setter for catcher Kayla Kowalik.

Playing in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Cathedral City, Calif., the Wildcats scored eight runs in the top of the eighth inning to beat No. 8 Washington 11-3 in extra innings.

Later in the day, Kentucky blanked San Diego State 2-0.

Those victories pushed UK’s record to 9-1-1 with the Cats poised for a date Friday night with top-ranked UCLA (13-0). The Bruins have already had their way with two Southeastern Conference teams this season, defeating No. 3 Florida 10-0 on Thursday and No. 11 Alabama 5-3 on Feb. 17. Kentucky is scheduled to face yet another ranked foe in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday when it takes on No. 18 Northwestern at 8:30 p.m. EST before a contest against UC-Riverside at 11 p.m.

Kowalik’s record came in Thursday’s win over Washington in which she became Kentucky’s career hits leader.

Kowalik, playing her fifth season with the Wildcats thanks to the extra year awarded all college athletes after the COVID pandemic, went 5-for-5 against the Huskies with an RBI and two runs scored. Her third hit of the day, No. 286 in her career, moved her past Leslie Kwaitkowski who set the previous record from 1998-2001.

A two-run single by Margaret Tobias, followed by run-scoring singles from Kowalik and Erica Thulen broke open the tie game with Washington (10-3) in the top of the eighth. Rylea Smith and Meeko Harrison added to the eight-run inning by each driving in two more runs.

Alexia Lacatena (3-0) limited Washington to one run and one hit while striking out five in the final 3 2/3 innings to create space for UK’s comeback

Stephanie Schoonover (5-0) pitched the entire way for Kentucky in the nightcap, blanking San Diego State (9-3) on eight hits while striking out 10.

Kentucky scratched out two runs on only four hits with the help of two San Diego State errors. Shortstop Erin Coffel had two hits and drove in a run for UK.