Seven-Run Sixth Propels No. 15 Texas A&M to Sweep of Kentucky
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Karissa Hamilton hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to put Kentucky up 4-2, but No. 15 Texas A&M responded with a seven-run bottom of the sixth inning en route to a 9-6 win over the Wildcats to complete the sweep.
The Wildcats scored for the first time all weekend in the top of the first, re-took the lead in the fourth inning and the sixth inning, before TAMU scored its seven runs in the sixth to grab the lead for the first time in the game.
With the sweep, Texas A&M sweeps Kentucky for the first time in program history, as Texas A&M collected run-rule wins on Friday and Saturday nights in the opening two games of the series. The Wildcats are now 20-12 on the season and sit 1-8 in SEC play. Texas A&M improves to 5-1 in the league and is 22-9 overall.
Kentucky will next play Bellarmine to open up a five-game homestand beginning Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. ET from John Cropp Stadium. The game will be aired live on SEC Network+ before the Battle of the Bluegrass on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET against the Louisville Cardinals.
The Wildcats have lost eight-straight SEC contests.
Run Recap
Carly Sleeman led off the game with a single and scored on an RBI double to right field by freshman Abby Hammond as Kentucky took its first lead in the series. UK 1, TAMU 0
Texas A&M tied the game on an error in the bottom of the second inning. UK 1, TAMU 1
In the top of the fourth, Hammond led off the inning with a single and scored on an RBI groundout to the left side by Maddy Clark to reinstate the Kentucky lead. UK 2, TAMU 1
A one-out single, stolen base and RBI base knock tied the game for the Aggies in the bottom of the fifth. UK 2, TAMU 2
After Allie Blum led off the inning by reaching on an error, Karissa Hamilton hit her seventh home run of the year to left center to put Kentucky up by two runs for the first time in the series. UK 4, TAMU 2
Texas A&M struck for seven runs on seven hits with a Kentucky error thrown in to make things in favor of the Aggies. TAMU 9, UK 4
In the top of the seventh, Carly Sleeman hit her second HR of the weekend with one out to score herself and Reaghan Oney, who led off the top of the seventh with a double to right center. FINAL – Texas A&M 9, Kentucky 6
Key Player
Abby Hammond went 2-for-3 in the game with a run scored and driving in one, as well. She was one of two Wildcats to have two hits Sunday.
Key Moment
The key moment in the game was a two-run single into left field in the bottom of the sixth inning for Texas A&M that gave the Aggies the 5-4 lead as a defensive miscue led to the big inning.
Key Stat
- The six runs scored by Kentucky was its highest offensive output in an SEC game since the opening game of the SEC season against Auburn.
Pitching Recap
Sarah Haendiges pitched the entirety of the game with three walks and four strikeouts on 136 pitches. She is now 8-4 on the season.
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