Seven-Run Sixth Wins Game One for No. 5 Gators over Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 5 Florida Softball team used a seven-run sixth inning to take the opening game of its three-game series with Kentucky, 10-2 in six innings, Friday night at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington.
Florida scored the opening three runs of the game in the second and fifth innings to take a 3-0 lead before the Wildcats responded with a solo shot by Carly Sleeman to make things 3-1 going to the sixth inning in Kentucky’s SEC home opener. Florida then rallied to score seven runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach and close the game in six innings.
Florida improves to 27-1 on the season and 4-0 in the SEC with the win Friday. Kentucky falls to 19-7 on the year and is 1-3 in league play through the opening four games. The Wildcats and Gators will play game two on Saturday at Noon ET live on SEC Network, UK’s first linear television game of the season. Tickets are available at UKathletics.com.
Run Recap
A two-run home run in the top of the second inning by Cassidy McLellon gave the Gators the first runs of the game. UF 2, UK 0
In the top of the fifth, Madison Walked led off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run. UF 3, UK 0
Carly Sleeman hit her fourth home run of the season to right center field in the bottom of the fifth to get the Wildcats back into the game and cut the Gator lead to two. UF 3, UK 1
Florida struck for seven runs in the top of the sixth inning as Jocelyn Erickson hit her 14th homer of the year, a three-run shot and then after UK switched pitchers, the Gators struck for four more runs on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly. UF 10, UK 1
Peyton Plotts hit an RBI single through the left side to score Emory Donaldson in the bottom of the sixth inning. FINAL – Florida 10, Kentucky 2
Key Player
Carly Sleeman was the key player in the game, scoring UK’s only run of the contest on a home run to right center off of Florida ace Keegan Rothrock.
Key Moment
Jocelyn Erickson’s three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to make things 6-1 after UK made it 3-1 in the bottom of the previous inning was the key moment of Friday’s series opener.
Key Stat
- Florida had 20 at bats in the game with runners in scoring position, going 7-for-20 in the game.
Pitching Recap
Sarah Haendiges threw well for Kentucky, pitching the first 5.0 innings allowing only three runs on seven hits with eight Gators left on the basepaths and six strikeouts. Haendiges allowed three runs on the HR in the top of the sixth before Abby Hammond entered the game to close out the contest for UK in the circle.
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