GAINESVILLE, Fla. ? Despite an impressive four-run sixth inning comeback in the nightcap, the Kentucky softball team fell just short dropping both games to No. 3 Florida Saturday. The Gators claimed a 6-5 win in game two, and took the first game 8-0 to open up the series.
After struggling for much of the first 11 innings against the third ranked Florida Gators, Kentucky?s bats came alive as they scored three runs on back-to-back-to-back doubles in the top half of the sixth inning of the second game mounting a respectable comeback. Senior Audrey Meyer reached base with a walk to put a runner on base. Freshman Megan Yocke then found a gap in right-center to register the first multi-base hit pitting runners on second and third. Sophomore Natalie Smith followed with a two-run double down the right-field line and sophomore Molly Johnson then kept the extra base hits coming with her second RBI-two-base hit of the game. Freshman Meagan Aull got her second hit of the series with an RBI single up the gut of the infield in to center field bridging the gap to just a 6-5 Florida advantage.
The home squad Gators were able to hold on for the win after retiring the Wildcats in order in the top of the seventh. Kentucky notched seven hits in the game, five of which were doubles. UK?s lone hit in the first game was also a double off of the bat of Aull.
Kentucky and Florida both went scoreless to open up the first inning of the second game of the doubleheader. Florida would go on to plate three runs in the home-half of the second to take an early 3-0 edge. The Gators hit two home runs in the inning to ignite their offense and take the lead. A solo home run in the bottom half of the third pushed the lead to 4-0.
UK finally got on the board with a good fourth inning. Smith split the right side of the defense for a two-out single to put a runner on base. Johnson took advantage of the base runner with an RBI-double into right-center field. Smith turned all the bases and put a tally on the board for the visitors, making the score 4-1.
The Gators responded with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth to extend the lead to 6-1. The home team tallied their runs on two hits and a Kentucky error.
In game one, after giving up six runs in the opening inning to a hot-hitting Florida team the Wildcats settled down in the next two innings. Florida jumped out early getting four hits, including a three-run home run to gain the early advantage.
Kentucky however, fought back and retired the Gators in order in the bottom half of the second. Despite giving up an inning opening single in the bottom of the third, Kentucky got out of the inning leaving two Gator base runners on base. The Wildcats held the Gators scoreless in the third and fourth innings before Florida was able to take the game in the bottom of the fifth plating two scores for the 8-0 win. The home squad crossed the plate on three base hits all coming with two outs on the scoreboard.
Aull notched the lone hit of the game for the Wildcats, a double that found a gap in right-center to continue her hot streak in conference action.
Kentucky and Florida will return to the diamond for the final game of its three game set on Sunday. First pitch is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Complete coverage and live results of the game can be found by visiting www.ukathletics.com.
