April 8, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore infielder Nikki Sagermann had three runs batted in for the third time in five games, while seniors Emily Gaines and Lauren Cumbess each posted two RBI, leading No. 11 Kentucky to a convincing 9-1 win in five innings over Wright State on Tuesday at John Cropp Stadium.
Kentucky (32-8) returns to action Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET against Mississippi Valley State in its final non-conference home game of the season. The game will conclude a 15-game home stand for Kentucky with the Wildcats currently holding a 10-4 record during the stretch. Tuesday’s win over Wright State (7-24) moved Kentucky’s record to 25-3 against non-conference foes, including a 10-1 record at home against non-conference opponents. The Wildcats are 13-4 overall at John Cropp Stadium this season.
Live stats for Wednesday’s game will be available online at UKathletics.com along with live video (subscription required). Single-game tickets into John Cropp Stadium are $5 for adults, $2 for seniors (65+) and youth (6-18). Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge. Tickets are all general admission, and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 1-800-928-2287. Tickets are also sold at John Cropp Stadium prior to each game, and all sales are cash only. Gates open one hour prior to first pitch.
Sagermann was the leader of UK’s offense again on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with a three-RBI double. The hit for the sophomore moved her hitting streak to a career-high tying five games. Sagermann has an RBI in eight of UK’s last 10 games, including five multiple-RBI games during that stretch. Gaines, who has a hit in 12 of UK’s last 14 games, went 1-for-2 with two RBI, while Cumbess had two hits and two RBI. Sophomore outfielder Sylver Samuel continued her hot bat, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while fellow sophomore Darington Richardson had a RBI triple. Junior catcher Griffin Joiner had a single and run scored.
In the circle, Kentucky started sophomore pitcher Kelsey Nunley, who went five innings to move to 15-4 on the season. Nunley allowed only three hits in the game and one unearned run behind a five-strikeout performance.
Wright State started Krystian DeWitt, who went four innings, allowing nine runs – three earned – on eight hits with six strikeouts. Offensively, Jess Gorman, Kacie Rapshus and Hanna Floyd each had singles.
Kentucky will look to end its 15-game home stand on a winning note Wednesday night against Mississippi Valley State, who enters the game with a 7-29 record. Jahcenda Garrett leads the team offensively with a .333 (29-for-87) average, including four doubles and nine RBI, while Deja Talton has a team-best four homers and 17 RBI. Omeshia Moffett paces the team with 15 stolen bases. Tenna Patterson leads the team in the circle with a 5-13 record and 9.60 ERA in 99.1 innings pitched, while Cassandra Rivera has thrown 89.2 innings with a 2-15 record and 12.45 ERA.
UK leads the all-time series 5-4 against Wright State, having won all three games against the Raiders under seventh-year head coach Rachel Lawson. UK and Mississippi Valley State have never met in softball.
For the latest on UK softball, follow “@UKSoftball” on Twitter and Instagram or like Kentucky Softball on Facebook.
Records
Kentucky – 32-8
Wright State – 7-24
Mississippi Valley State – 7-29
Rankings
Kentucky – No. 11 in ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25; No. 11 in NFCA/USA Today Top 25
Wright State – not ranked
Mississippi Valley State – not ranked
Schedule/Results
Tuesday, April 8
Kentucky def. Wright State 9-1 (5)
Wednesday, April 9
Mississippi Valley State vs. Kentucky – 5 p.m. ET – Live Stats – Live Video (subscription required)
Ticket Information:
Single game tickets for the series are $5 for adults, $2 for seniors (65+) and youth (6-18). Children ages 5 and under and UK students with a valid student ID are admitted free of charge. Tickets are all general admission, and can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 1-800-928-2287. Tickets are also sold at John Cropp Stadium prior to each game, and all sales are cash only.
