Freshman delivers walk-off, vet slugs 2 homers as UK softball opens year with 2 wins
The University of Kentucky softball team kicked off a busy opening weekend with a pair of victories on Friday afternoon. One of the newest Wildcats on the roster wasted little time making her mark.
Kentucky, ranked No. 16 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, swept a doubleheader against Liberty and Texas State at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Fla.
In the second game, Rylea Smith delivered a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Cats a 2-1 walk-off victory over Texas State. The freshman from St. Louis went 3-for-4 and also came through with the game-tying RBI in the bottom of the fifth by slapping a single through the right side of the infield that scored Lauren Johnson.
Grace Baalman pitched a complete game against Texas State, allowing just two hits and striking out eight. The Bobcats scored their only run in the top of the fourth thanks to a walk and a UK fielding error. Baalman retired the side in order in the top of the seventh by striking out the final two batters.
Bailey Vick led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, and then stole second before moving to third on Kayla Kowalik’s single. Vick scored the game-winner on Smith’s base hit.
In Friday’s first game, UK knocked off Liberty 6-2 behind a pair of home runs by Alex Martens. The senior second baseman got the Cats rolling with a solo shot to right field in the top of the fourth inning. Tatum Spangler led off the fifth with a double, then scored on Kowalik’s two-out single to make it 2-0 UK.
The Wildcats pulled away with a four-run seventh, which Spangler led off with another double. Baalman doubled home a run, then Martens belted a two-run homer for a 6-0 Kentucky advantage. Autumn Humes took over pitching duties for the Wildcats in the bottom of the seventh and allowed two runs on three hits.
Meghan Schorman drew the pitching start against Liberty and picked up the win, allowing four hits and striking out three batters over four innings. Larissa Spellman pitched two hitless innings, striking out three.
Kowalik combined to go 3-for-6 in both games. The sophomore, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, played catcher against Liberty and center field against Texas State. Martens reached base five times Friday, going 4-for-6 with a walk.
The Wildcats face N.C. State and the U.S. National Team on Saturday in another doubleheader. They’ll take on No. 7 Minnesota Sunday, ending a stretch of five games over three days. All games can be viewed on the NFCA YouTube.com page.
Upcoming games
NFCA Lead-Off Classic at Clearwater, Fla.
10 a.m. Saturday: UK vs. N.C. State
5:30 p.m. Saturday: UK vs. U.S. National Team
11 a.m. Sunday: Kentucky vs. Minnesota
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 5:35 PM.
