Sept. 30, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball team used dominating pitching performances from its pitching staff, throwing 13 scoreless innings over two games with only three hits allowed, while the offense posted 14 runs in two games to sweep a doubleheader with Wright State and Dayton (Ohio) on Sunday at the WSU Softball Field in Dayton, Ohio.
Kentucky started the day with an 11-0 victory over Wright State before a 3-0 triumph over Dayton to conclude the day.
Rachel Lawson and Co. used great pitching and offense to defeat Wright State in the first game, posting 11 runs on nine hits. Shannon Smith started the game in the circle, throwing three scoreless innings, allowing two hits with four strikeouts. The freshman was replaced in the top of the fourth inning by fellow rookie Meagan Prince, who pitched three no-hit innings to close out the win with three strikeouts.
Junior catcher Griffin Joiner paced the offense by going 3-for-4 against WSU with three singles and three RBI. Sophomore outfield Sylver Samuel set the table for the UK offense by going 2-for-3 with two singles, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Sophomore infielder Christian Stokes had a single and an RBI in the game, while senior outfielder Emily Jolly belted a two-run double in her lone plate appearance. Senior pitcher/infielder Lauren Cumbess had a two-RBI single, while senior infielder Krystal Smith and freshmen Breanne Ray and S. Smith each recorded RBI. UK opened the game with a six-run first inning before a single run in the fourth inning and a four-run sixth inning.
Kentucky was lights out in the circle against Dayton in game two, limiting the Flyers to just two base runners the whole game. Cumbess started the game in the circle by throwing three innings of perfect softball, allowing no base runners with six strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Nunley took over in the fourth inning and threw four innings, allowing only one hit and one walk with five strikeouts to seal the UK win.
Offensively, Kentucky got another strong showing by Joiner, who belted a two-run home run as part of a three-run fifth inning for Kentucky. Stokes hammered a double in the game and scored a run, while Samuel and fellow sophomore outfielder Darington Richardson each recorded hits against Dayton with Samuel stealing a base.
Kentucky will conclude its fall slate this weekend as its plays host to Georgetown College for a doubleheader at Noon ET at John Cropp Stadium. Admission to both games is free of charge.
