Sleeman’s Two-Homer Day Pushes Kentucky Past EKU
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thanks to two home runs by junior slugger Carly Sleeman in the bottom of the third and fifth innings and a strong performance from the Kentucky pitching staff, the Wildcats sailed past Eastern Kentucky 5-2 on Tuesday night at John Cropp Stadium.
Sleeman hit two home runs, including a solo shot in the bottom of the third inning to put Kentucky on the board and cut into a 2-0 EKU lead and then launched another solo shot in the bottom of the fifth inning as she hit two bombs for the 34th time in UK softball history in a single game.
Sarah Haendiges got the win in the circle for Kentucky as she went the opening five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and struck out six Colonel batters. After the first two reached in the top of the sixth, McKenzie Oslanzi entered and got a quick double play and closed out a 1-2-3 seventh inning to record her second save of the season .
Kentucky will continue its five-game homestand on Wednesday against Morehead State at 6 p.m. ET with the game live on SEC Network as Alex Loeb and Hailey McCleney will have the call from John Cropp Stadium.
UK is now 23-19 on the season as EKU falls one game below .500 as they are 18-19 overall.
Run Recap
Sky Billips had an RBI single in the top of the second inning to put the Colonels ahead early. EKU 1, UK 0
In the top of the second inning, a misplayed ball in the outfield led to a second EKU run. EKU 2, UK 0
Carly Sleeman hit her team-leading 10th home run of the year in the bottom of the third inning to right center to cut into the lead. EKU 2, UK 1
In the bottom of the fourth, Abby Hammond struck gold with a two-run double down the left-field line to score Karissa Hamilton who led off the inning with a double and Maddy Clark, who walked. UK 3, EKU 2
In the bottom of the fifth, Carly Sleeman hit her second HR of the game off the foul pole in left field and Allie Blum deposited an RBI single into left to push the Kentucky lead to three. FINAL – Kentucky 5, EKU 2
Key Player
Carly Sleeman was the key player in the game going 2-for-3 with a pair of homers and a pair of RBI.
Key Moment
Abby Hammond’s go-ahead double down the left field line to score Hamilton and Clark in the bottom of the fourth inning that pushed Kentucky ahead 3-2 was the key moment in the game.
Key Stat
- McKenzie Oslanzi earned her second save of the season Tuesday night.
Pitching Recap
Sarah Haendiges got the win in the circle for Kentucky as she went the opening five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and struck out six Colonel batters. After the first two reached in the top of the sixth, McKenzie Oslanzi entered and got a quick double play and closed out a 1-2-3 seventh inning to record her second save of the season. Haendiges is now 10-7 on the season.
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