CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? Trailing by one run the Kentucky softball team plated six scores in the top of the sixth inning to earn a 10-5, win over Indiana in the Chattanooga Frost Classic. Kentucky went a perfect 4-0 this weekend and improves their season-long win streak to seven games with the victory on Sunday.
Sophomore Natalie Smith?s double and freshman Annie Rowlands? first career home run ignited the six run inning. Audrey Meyer and Megan Yocke opened the inning with walks and then Smith drove in two runs as she doubled to left field. Molly Johnson?s sacrifice bunt advanced Smith to second, and then an illegal pitch pushed Smith to third. Destinee Mordecai reached on the third walk of the inning, putting runners on the corners. That?s when Rowlands hit a shot to left field that just barely cleared the fence, getting credit for three RBI and securing a Wildcat victory.
Kentucky jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage after some early Indiana miscues. The Hoosiers? starting pitcher Alyssa Maiese walked UK?s first three batters of the game in the top of the first. Immediately, the IU bench called for a pitching change, bringing in Jennifer Moore. Moore forced a strikeout on a 3-2 count with her first batter, but then walked Mordecai bringing in Kentucky?s first run of the game. Rowlands? base on balls brought in the second run of the inning. UK then popped up to second and a fly out to left field ended the inning, with three more runners still on base.
Indiana put two runs on the board in the bottom of the second. The Hoosiers led off with a single and then advanced the runner on an illegal pitch. The first run came around to score after Indiana hit a double to deep center field. The second run crossed the plate on a UK throwing error to even the score at two.
The Wildcats regained the lead in the top of the third, plating two more runs to make the score 4-2. Samantha DeMartine led the inning off with the sixth UK walk of the game. Mordecai advanced the base runner on a sacrifice bunt, and then DeMartine moved to third on an illegal pitch while Ashley Dimkich was awarded first on the second walk of the inning. Rowlands? found a gap in left center field and tripled as the ball got hung up along the wall bringing in two runs.
Kentucky pitcher Amber Matousek entered the game in the bottom of the third inning and retired seven of the first eight batters she faced until the Hoosiers? Sarah Padove hit a solo shot over the left field wall making the score 4-3. Indiana?s Emily Bergeson sent a two-run home run over the center field wall three batters later to give the designated home team a 5-4 advantage.
Matousek earns her fourth victory of the season with the win, evening her record at 4-4. The sophomore right-hander also tossed two strikeouts to give her 44 for the year setting a season career-high.
Rowlands led the UK bats, going a perfect 2-for-2 while reaching base during every at bat as she also drew two walks. The first year player from Ohio hit a triple and a home run, knocking in a combined five RBI. Indiana also put 13 UK base runners with walks.
Kentucky (9-7, 0-0) enjoyed a fantastic weekend in Chattanooga winning all four contests. The UK bats saw four players hit their first career home runs, including Rowlands in today?s game. They will take a seven-game winning streak into a three-game homestand.
UK returns to action Wed., March 5, when they host in-state rival Louisville. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m., at the UK Softball Complex. Complete coverage and live stats of the game against the Cardinals will be available at www.ukathletics.com.
