Prince’s Second No-Hitter In Three Weeks Guides Kentucky to Split
ROCK HILL, S.C. – The No. 16 Kentucky
softball team saw junior Meagan Prince throw her second no-hitter in as many weeks
as the Martin, Tenn., recorded the fourth no-hitter for Kentucky pitching this
season through 20 games, as the Wildcats split games beating Winthrop, 11-0 and
falling to Charlotte 5-3 earlier in the day.
Prince struck out eight batters on the night and
had no walks in the game – only missing a perfect game by a hit by pitch in the
second inning for the Eagles. Prince was only forced to throw 49 pitches in the
entire game, facing 16 batters and throwing 38 of 49 strikes.
Kentucky is now 17-3 on the season with a 1-1
showing on Saturday and will wrap up play at the Winthrop Invitational on
Sunday morning at 10 a.m. ET with a rematch against host Winthrop at Terry
Field in Rock Hill. The game will be shown live online on the Big South Digital
Network.
Game 1 – Charlotte – Box Score (PDF)
Key Stat
Five. For the first time all season, Kentucky
allowed multiple runs in the first inning to an opponent, as the 49ers scored
all five of their runs in the top of the first which would be all they would
need to beat UK, 5-3.
Key Play
The key play in the game was a grand slam with
one out and one run in for the 49ers in the top of the first by Jenny Harris.
Key Player
After a leadoff hit by pitch, Haley Pace
reached on a fielder’s choice that was overthrown by the UK infield to put
runners on first and third with one out. Grace Beatty singled up the middle to
score a run and put the 49ers on the board. After back-to-back infield singles, Meredith Harris homered to straightaway center to score four more and make it 5-0.
CLT 5, UK 0
Kentucky would score one in the bottom of the
second inning after a walk from Christian Stokes got things going for the UK
offense. After a wild pitch got Stokes to second, Kelsey Nunley singled back up
the middle to score a run. CLT 5, UK 1
UK would score another run in the sixth as
Nikki Sagermann doubled to the gap in right center, scoring Abbey Cheek who had
reached earlier in the inning on a single back up the box. CLT 5, UK 2
Kentucky scored one in the bottom of the
seventh inning on a Brooklin Hinz pinch hit RBI double, and loaded the bases
with two outs for Katie Reed. Reed struck out swinging to end the game, and
also end her hit streak at a school-record 19 games. FINAL – Charlotte 5,
No. 16 Kentucky 5
Game 2 – Winthrop – Box Score (PDF)
Key Stat
Four. Meagan Prince’s no-hitter was the fourth no-hitter by UK pitching
this season. That sets a new program record for most no-hitters in one season
in Kentucky softball history.
Key Play
The key play in the game was in the bottom of the fourth inning as Maddie
Whittingham grounded to the right side, as the ball deflected off the shin of
the first base umpire keeping it in fair territory and sending it straight to
Ansley Smith at second. Smith then flipped to first just in time to keep the
no-hitter en tact.
Key Player
Maisie Steed was the key player in the game in addition to Meagan
Prince. Steed went 2-for-3 on the night as she continued her hot start to the season.
The Georgia native scored three runs, a new career-high, and also drew two
quality walks after great at-bats.
Run Recap
Kentucky scored three runs on one hit in the top of the first inning to
take a commanding lead early on in the game. Steed led off the game with a
walk, and then Sylver Samuel had a single to the left side and Steed scored as
Samuel busted to third on a throwing error. Katie Reed walked on five pitches
and scored on a double by Abbey Cheek in addition to Samuel. UK 3, WIN 0
Christian Stokes hit the first of her two home runs to lead off the top
of the second inning to make it a 4-0 win for the Wildcats. Steed and Samuel
walked to put runners on first and second with no outs and Katie Reed moved
runners to second and third with one out. Nikki Sagermann had a SAC fly to
center to score a run, and then an Abbey Cheek SAC fly to center brought home
another run. Brooklin Hinz singled to center to score Sagermann and Hinz would
score on a Breanne Ray advancement thanks to an outfield error. UK 8, WIN 0
Christian Stokes hammered her second home run of the night, obliterating
a ball to straightaway center, scoring Hannah Huffman – who pinch ran for Jenny
Schaper who doubled to lead off the inning in the top of the fifth. Kelsee
Henson drove in Maisie Steed to score the final run. FINAL – No. 16 Kentucky 11, Winthrop 0
For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram
and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
