South Carolina Takes Series Opener Behind 5-2 Win Friday Night
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 25 South Carolina Gamecocks beat No. 21 Kentucky 5-2 on Friday night to take the opening game of the three-game series in Lexington.
The Gamecocks struck early in the game, scoring in the first, second and fourth innings to create their cushion with Kentucky’s offense unable to mount a late charge thanks to the pitching of Alana Vawter, who picked up her 14th win of the season to improve to 14-6 on the season. Vawter went the distance, striking out three batters, allowing only five hits and one earned run.
Kentucky fell behind and had to change pitchers early as Alexia Lacatena came in to pitch 4.2 innings with only one run allowed on six hits after starter Sydney Langdon was lifted in the second inning. Jaden Vickers closed out the contest in the circle for the Wildcats, throwing a 1-2-3 seventh.
UK and USC are both now tied for 10th in the Southeastern Conference standings with a 7-11 league record. The Wildcats are 29-17 and South Carolina picked up its 31st win overall of the season. The second game of the series will be Saturday at 2 p.m. ET from John Cropp Stadium in Lexington. Senior Day ceremonies will begin at approximately 1:40 p.m. ET so fans are asked to arrive early and be in their seats for the celebration prior to first pitch.
Key Play
There was no play in the game that scored more than one run, as all seven runs in the game were scored on separate plays. The key play in the game however was an RBI single by Riley Blampied in the top of the second inning to put two on with one out allowing the Gamecocks to take command of the contest.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player was Jaden Vickers, who threw a scoreless seventh inning, and then in her first AB as a Kentucky Wildcat, got an RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning on a hard-hit RBI groundout to the left side that scored Peyton Plotts.
Key Stat
1-9. The middle third of Kentucky’s batting order ended the game 1-for-9.
Run Recap
South Carolina got a lead-off triple and a single in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. USC 1, UK 0
In the top of the second inning, USC scored three times on an RBI single, a bases loaded walk and then a sacrifice fly. USC 4, UK 0
Kentucky got a run back in the third on a Gamecock error that allowed Erin Coffel to score from first after a single by Taylor Ebbs. USC 4, UK 1
Jacy Cummings hit a solo bomb off the foul pole in RF in the fourth inning. USC 5, UK 1
In the bottom of the seventh, Peyton Plotts tripled to right and scored on a Jaden Vickers RBI groundout to the left side. FINAL – South Carolina 5, Kentucky 2
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