Kelsey Nunley pitched a complete-game shutout in UK’s win over Louisville on Wednesday. (Britney Howard, UK Athletics)
The No. 12 Kentucky softball team used a complete performance in
all facets of the game Wednesday night in its 5-0 win over Louisville.
After
a 1-2 weekend against then-No. 21 Auburn, a complete, well-played game
against their in-state rivals was just what the Wildcats needed.
a 1-2 weekend against then-No. 21 Auburn, a complete, well-played game
against their in-state rivals was just what the Wildcats needed.
Head coach Rachel Lawson got just the turnaround performance that she was hoping for.
“I
thought it was big,” Lawson said. “Auburn was a tough weekend. I know
we took one from them, Auburn is a very good team, but I felt like we
really didn’t play our best game against Auburn.
thought it was big,” Lawson said. “Auburn was a tough weekend. I know
we took one from them, Auburn is a very good team, but I felt like we
really didn’t play our best game against Auburn.
“Some
things were exposed that we needed to work on, and the fact that we
were able to work on them and turn around so quickly really shows that
the girls have their minds in the right spot and they want to get it
done and go deep in the postseason.”
things were exposed that we needed to work on, and the fact that we
were able to work on them and turn around so quickly really shows that
the girls have their minds in the right spot and they want to get it
done and go deep in the postseason.”
UK out-hit
the Cardinals 7-3, and was able to take advantage of two errors that led
to a pair of unearned runs. The first five batters in the Kentucky
lineup all reached base at least once.
the Cardinals 7-3, and was able to take advantage of two errors that led
to a pair of unearned runs. The first five batters in the Kentucky
lineup all reached base at least once.
While the
run production was a highlight, the well-rounded game started in the
circle for the Wildcats. After Kelsey Nunley allowed one run and five
hits in seven innings of work Sunday, she came back even better on
Wednesday. The sophomore hurled a complete game shutout and allowed just
three hits and two walks.
run production was a highlight, the well-rounded game started in the
circle for the Wildcats. After Kelsey Nunley allowed one run and five
hits in seven innings of work Sunday, she came back even better on
Wednesday. The sophomore hurled a complete game shutout and allowed just
three hits and two walks.
“I thought Nunley was
incredible,” Lawson said. “I thought she was great on Sunday. The fact
that she was able to turn around four days later and do it again says a
lot about how strong she is as a pitcher. The fact that she was able to
change her game a little bit and keep them off balance, they’re an
awesome hitting team. The fact that she didn’t let very many of them
square up on the ball really says how much stuff she has and how she’s
able to put the team on her back and carry them.”
incredible,” Lawson said. “I thought she was great on Sunday. The fact
that she was able to turn around four days later and do it again says a
lot about how strong she is as a pitcher. The fact that she was able to
change her game a little bit and keep them off balance, they’re an
awesome hitting team. The fact that she didn’t let very many of them
square up on the ball really says how much stuff she has and how she’s
able to put the team on her back and carry them.”
Defense was a point of emphasis the last few days, and it showed Wednesday night.
In
the field, the Wildcats didn’t commit a single error and turned several
dazzling defensive plays to extinguish any Louisville scoring
opportunities.
the field, the Wildcats didn’t commit a single error and turned several
dazzling defensive plays to extinguish any Louisville scoring
opportunities.
“We really worked on hustling,”
Nikki Sagermann said.. “Making every play, not giving up. Just keeping
on running hard and competing on every play.”
Nikki Sagermann said.. “Making every play, not giving up. Just keeping
on running hard and competing on every play.”
The team worked on it, and Lawson noticed.
“I
was really impressed with them,” Lawson said of the defensive effort.
“Overall I’m really pleased with our defense, and I thought that was the
difference early.”
was really impressed with them,” Lawson said of the defensive effort.
“Overall I’m really pleased with our defense, and I thought that was the
difference early.”
Without senior captain Lauren Cumbess, who is day-to-day with an ankle injury, the offense didn’t miss a beat.
“I
think the best part about it was the last few days we had really been
working on our approach, getting more aggressive,” Lawson said. “It was
so nice to see the team step up. I think they knew because Lauren wasn’t
in the lineup, that each person was going to have to chip in a little
extra, and I thought they really responded and we put up five runs
against a really good Louisville team.”
think the best part about it was the last few days we had really been
working on our approach, getting more aggressive,” Lawson said. “It was
so nice to see the team step up. I think they knew because Lauren wasn’t
in the lineup, that each person was going to have to chip in a little
extra, and I thought they really responded and we put up five runs
against a really good Louisville team.”
The win
marked the first time UK had beaten U of L in back-to-back games in
Lawson’s seven-year tenure. The Wildcats will have a chance to go for
three consecutive wins at the end of the month on April 30 in
Louisville.
marked the first time UK had beaten U of L in back-to-back games in
Lawson’s seven-year tenure. The Wildcats will have a chance to go for
three consecutive wins at the end of the month on April 30 in
Louisville.
In the meantime, the Wildcats will
look to build on Wednesday’s win when they host SEC-foe and 18th-ranked
Texas A&M at John Cropp Stadium this weekend. First pitch Friday and
Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, while Sunday’s contest will
commence at 1 p.m.