UK softball off to best start since program’s only College World Series appearance
The University of Kentucky softball team is off to its best start since it made the program’s only appearance in the College World Series in 2014.
The Wildcats, ranked 15th in the USA Today Sports coaches’ poll, knocked off No. 8 Minnesota 7-0 on Sunday at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Fla. With the win, Kentucky improved to 4-0 and completed a stretch of five games played over three days. UK’s only blemish over the weekend was a 7-0 loss to the U.S. National Team in an exhibition as part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
The win over Minnesota is a nice feather in the cap for the Wildcats. The Golden Gophers are coming off an appearance in last year’s College World Series.
“To beat a top-10 team and a team that was in the World Series last year says a lot about our players,” UK Coach Rachel Lawson said.
Against Minnesota, Mallory Peyton blasted a two-out solo home run to center field to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Kentucky tacked on three more runs in the third when Kayla Kowalik slapped a two-RBI triple then scored on a groundout.
Sophomore Tatum Spangler belted her first career home run in the fifth inning to make it 5-0 UK. The Cats added two more in the seventh when Spangler scored on Rylea Smith’s single and Kowalik stole home.
Meghan Schorman picked up her second win of the year, striking out four and scattering four hits over 4 1/3 innings. Grace Baalman held the Golden Gophers hitless over the final 2 2/3 innings. Baalman picked up a victory in UK’s 2-1 win over Texas State on Friday.
“I was happy to see Grace come in and close the door on a great win,” Lawson said. “To start 4-0 is exciting and we need to focus on taking this momentum with us to the West Coast next weekend.”
The Wildcats will again play five games over three days next weekend during the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
USA dominates
On Saturday evening, Kentucky faced the U.S. National Team in an exhibition as part of the Lead-Off Classic. Team USA is preparing for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. This will be the first year the Olympics have featured softball since 2008.
Team USA scored three runs each in the first and second innings and went on to beat the Wildcats 7-0. Lauren Johnson and Emma Boitnott both singled in the top of the seventh inning, accounting for UK’s only hits of the game. Team USA won all five of its games in the Lead-Off Classic by a combined score of 36-3.
Upcoming games
Littlewood Classic at Tempe, Ariz.
Friday: Kentucky vs. Boise State, 4 p.m.; Kentucky vs. Arizona State, 9 p.m.
Saturday: Kentucky vs. Illinois State, 4 p.m.; Kentucky vs. Arizona State, 9 p.m.
Sunday: Kentucky vs. Detroit Mercy, 2:30 p.m.
This story was originally published February 9, 2020 at 2:35 PM.
