Ray, Joiner Hit 2-RBI Doubles to Lift No. 5 Softball Over SIU
Feb. 13, 2015
Box Score | UK-SIU Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF)
KENNESAW, Ga. – University of Kentucky sophomore outfielder Breanne Ray belted a two-run double in the fourth inning to tie the game before senior catcher Griffin Joiner added a two-run double in the fifth inning, lifting the No. 5 Wildcats to a 5-2 victory over Southern Illinois on Friday at Bailey Park in the 2015 Phyllis Rafter Memorial Invitational.
Kentucky (5-1) got a career day from Ray, who went 2-for-2 in the game with two doubles and two RBI, reaching base all three times she stepped to the plate. In her first at-bat in the second inning, the native of Benton, Ky., fouled off several pitches for a 10-pitch at-bat that ended with a double down the rightfield line. Ray had similar success her next at bat in the fourth inning, seeing eight pitches before hitting a line drive to rightfield to score two runs and put Kentucky on the board. Ray walked in her final at bat.
Joiner, junior infielder Nikki Sagermann and junior outfielder Sylver Samuel were the other stars at the plate for Kentucky. Joiner went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while Sagermann drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single, finishing the game 1-for-4 with a run scored. Samuel went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while juniors Christian Stokes and Maisie Steed each recorded singles.
Joiner and Sagermann did their damage offensively in Kentucky’s key two-out rally in the fifth inning. After back-to-back groundouts to start the fifth inning, Stokes reached on an error, advancing to second when Samuel slapped a single to leftfield. That set the scene for Sagermann, who blasted a single up the middle to score Stokes and give UK a 3-2 lead. Joiner followed a few pitches later with a double to rightfield to give the Wildcats some breathing room at 5-2.
The offensive production in the fourth and fifth innings helped sophomore pitcher Meagan Prince settling in as the native of Martin, Tenn., retired nine of the next 10 batters she faced before allowing two runners to reach in the seventh inning. Prince went the distance for Kentucky, allowing two runs – one earned – on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks allowed. The sophomore is now 3-1 on the season with a 1.22 ERA.
SIU (1-4) started senior Katie Bertelsen in the circle, who went seven innings, allowing five runs – two earned – on eight hits with two strikeouts. Bertelsen held the Wildcats scoreless the first three innings before UK posted two runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and had two runners on in the sixth and seventh innings.
Offensively, freshman Sydney Jones led SIU by going 1-for-2 with a triple, run scored and RBI, while freshman Savannah Fisher was 1-for-3 with a run scored and senior Meredith Wilson went 1-for-2.
SIU had several base runners the first three innings, but the Kentucky defense limited damage by turning three double plays, which tied the school record for most double plays turned in a game. UK has turned three double plays in a game eight different times with the last coming in April of 2007 against LSU.
The Salukis scored their only runs in the second inning after Wilson singled to get the rally started, but was erased on a 6-3 double play turned smoothly by Stokes. SIU followed with a single and a triple to score the game’s first run, before an error by UK allowed another run to score and make it 2-0.
Kentucky will return to action Saturday with games against IUPUI at 3 p.m. ET and host Kennesaw State at 5 p.m. ET. The 2015 Phyllis Rafter Memorial Invitational was originally scheduled for three days before weather concerns canceled Sunday’s schedule. Live stats from both of UK’s games Saturday can be found online at UKathletics.com
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Schedule/Results
Friday, Feb. 13
Kentucky def. Southern Illinois 5-2
Saturday, Feb. 14
Kentucky vs. IUPUI – 3 p.m. ET
Kentucky vs. Kennesaw State – 5 p.m. ET
