Kentucky softball team eliminated in opening round of SEC Tournament
The University of Kentucky softball team was forced to wait a day longer than originally scheduled to begin postseason play and, when it did, the Wildcats weren’t able to answer the bell.
UK opened play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday morning with a 6-2 loss to Florida. Their game was originally scheduled for Wednesday night but was postponed because of inclement weather. The teams then endured a 47-minute rain delay before the first pitch was thrown Thursday.
The victory advanced Florida, the No. 8 seed in the 13-team single-elimination tournament, to the quarterfinal round on Friday in which the Gators will take on No. 1 seed Tennessee at 11 a.m. EDT. The Volunteers (41-8) received a bye to the round of eight.
Thursday’s game represented a rapid rematch for Kentucky and Florida. The Wildcats took two of three games from the Gators last weekend in Lexington to close the regular season.
Florida (36-19) rallied from a 2-1 deficit by scoring one run in the fourth inning, three in the fifth and one in the sixth to put away the Wildcats. The Gators’ comeback was spurred by a pair of home runs against a UK pitching staff that has allowed more round-trippers than any team in the SEC this season.
Kentucky scored its only two runs on a home run by Meeko Harrison in the fourth inning. Kayla Kowalik and Grace Lorsung each had two hits for the Wildcats, who finished with eight off two Florida pitchers.
Stephanie Schoonover (12-2) started and pitched four innings for Kentucky, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out two. Alexia Lacatena tossed the final two innings, giving up three runs on five hits.
The winner of the conference tournament secures the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament later this month. However, numerous SEC schools typically gain entry to the NCAA field of 64. Last season, for instance, 12 of the conference’s 13 teams earned berths. Kentucky (30-20-1) is seeking its 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is set for Sunday at 7 p.m. (ESPN2).
SEC Tournament
At Fayetteville, Ark.
All times Eastern
Tuesday
No. 13 seed Missouri 3, No. 12 Mississippi State 1
Wednesday
No. 11 Ole Miss 5, No. 6 LSU 3 (10 innings)
No. 12 South Carolina 1, No. 7 Texas A&M 0 (8 innings)
No. 5 Alabama 7, No. 13 Missouri 2
Thursday
No. 8 Florida 6, No. 9 Kentucky 2
No. 3 Auburn vs. No. 11 Ole Miss
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 12 South Carolina
No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 5 Alabama
Friday
11 a.m.: No. 1 Tennessee vs. No. 8 Florida (SEC Network)
4 p.m.: Semifinals begin (ESPN2)
Saturday
5 p.m.: Championship game (ESPN2)