May 3, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore shortstop Christian Stokes continued a three-game hitting streak with an RBI single in the fifth inning, but No. 16 Georgia responded with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, including a two-run homer, to earn a 4-1 series-clinching victory on Saturday afternoon at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Ga.
The series and regular season concludes Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. ET first pitch. Live stats and free radio will be available online at UKathletics.com, while free video is available at the link below. Kentucky (41-13, 13-10 Southeastern Conference) will look to avoid being swept in conference play for the first time this season. UK has already clinched a winning record in conference play for the fourth consecutive season and has earned a berth into next week’s SEC Tournament at Carolina Softball Stadium in Columbia, S.C.
Georgia (41-12, 14-9 SEC) scored first in the game for the second straight day, getting a lone run in the first inning on a bloop single to leftfield by Kaylee Puailoa after three one-out walks loaded the bases. The Bulldogs did score again until the fifth inning when Samantha LeZear reached on a two-base error, moving to third on a fly out to centerfield by Paige Wilson. That set the scene for pitcher Geri Ann Glasco to roll a single through the rightside of the infield, scoring the eventual winning run. Second baseman Alex Hugo added the insurance runs a few pitches later with her 22nd home run of the season, giving UGA a 4-1 lead it did not relinquish.
Kentucky got on the board in the top of the fifth inning after good base running by senior outfielder Emily Jolly, who reached with one out after a strike three wild pitch and moved to second on a stolen base. After a walk to senior outfielder Ginny Carroll, Stokes hit a line drive to leftfield that scored Jolly after a perfect slide to avoid the tag at home plate. Sophomore infielder Nikki Sagermann lined a single up the middle to finish 1-for-2 in the game with a walk.
Glasco was impressive in the circle for Georgia, tossing seven innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts to move to 16-5 on the season. UK sophomore pitcher Kelsey Nunley received the loss in the game, going five innings, allowing four runs – three earned – on five hits with four strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Meagan Prince tossed the sixth inning, allowing a hit before getting a strikeout and a double play.
For the latest on UK softball, follow “@UKsoftball” on Twitter and Instagram or like Kentucky Softball on Facebook.
Records
Kentucky 41-13, 13-10 SEC
Georgia 41-12, 14-9 SEC
Rankings
Kentucky – No. 11 in ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25; No. 10 in NFCA/USA Today Top 25
Georgia – No. 18 in ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25; No. 16 in NFCA/USA Today Top 25
Schedule/Results
Friday, May 2
Georgia def. Kentucky 5-1
Saturday, May 3
Georgia def. Kentucky 4-1
Sunday, May 4
Kentucky vs. Georgia – 1:30 p.m. ET – Live Stats – Free Radio – Free Video
