Kentucky softball stages its own epic comeback in its home opener
The men’s basketball team wasn’t the only University of Kentucky program to stage a comeback victory Saturday afternoon.
The UK softball team roared back from a seven-run deficit to knock off Texas A&M, 11-9, at John Cropp Stadium in the first of a three-game series. It was a thrilling way for the 10th-ranked Wildcats to open their home and Southeastern Conference schedules.
Senior second baseman Alex Martens led the charge, belting a pair of three-run home runs. With the Cats trailing 8-1 after Texas A&M (15-8, 0-1 SEC) scored six runs in the third inning, Martens went deep to pull them within 8-4. In the bottom of the fourth she she did it again, cutting the Aggies’ lead to 9-7.
Autumn Humes provided the game-winning hit, bolstering her own pitching record in the process. She slapped a two-run, bases-loaded single to center field in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Cats a 10-9 lead. Miranda Stoddard followed up with a sacrifice fly to set the final score.
Humes improved to 4-0 on the season, pitching the final 4 2/3 innings and striking out three while allowing three runs. Bailey Vick went 3-for-3 and scored three runs. Lauren Johnson went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Martens is now second on the team with nine home runs on the season, one behind Mallory Peyton. Martens leads the nation with 45 RBI. As of Saturday afternoon, that was well ahead of Valerie Cagle of Clemson and Stacy Payton of Ball State (tied for second with 32 RBI apiece).
Kentucky (18-3, 1-0 SEC) has won seven games in a row. The Cats went 5-0 last weekend during an invitational in Orlando, Fla., outscoring their opponents 66-3 and setting a new program single-game scoring record in a 22-0 win over Detroit Mercy.
The Wildcats lead the nation in runs scored, runs per game and extra-base hits. Kayla Kowalik, who drew two walks and scored two runs Saturday, leads the country with seven triples.
The final two games of the series are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday with both airing live on the SEC Network. Monday’s broadcast will be the premiere of the network’s “Mic’d Up Monday” feature. UK Coach Rachel Lawson will wear a microphone throughout the game.
Next game
Texas A&M at Kentucky
7 p.m. Sunday (SEC Network)
