Six-Run Sixth Completes Five-Run Comeback as UK Sweeps Mizzou

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In a game that featured 18 runs, 24 hits and seven errors, the No. 20 Kentucky softball team overcame an 8-3 deficit entering the final two innings and scored seven unanswered runs to come from behind and sweep the Missouri Tigers, 10-8 in Sunday’s series finale. 

The Wildcats, sparked by two monster home runs from Abbey Cheek and a go-ahead two-run home run from junior Rachael Metzger, scored six runs in the top of the sixth inning and one more in the top of the seventh to seal their fourth win in a row. 

This is Kentucky’s largest deficit overcome in a win (five runs) since Apr. 20, 2011 when Kentucky trailed Louisville by seven runs (7-0) and went on to win 14-8. 

Kentucky is now 30-13 overall on the season with Sunday’s result and is back at .500 in the Southeastern Conference at 9-9, just one game back of fifth place. Missouri drops its third game in a row to fall to 27-21 overall and 5-12 in SEC play. 

The 10 runs scored by the Kentucky offense is its highest offensive output all season in league play and the 14 hits is just one hit off the most hits in a single game this season for the UK offense. 

UK will play two midweek games this week, beginning with a game Tuesday night at 6 p.m. ET against Eastern Kentucky on the road in Richmond, Kentucky in a rescheduled game from March. Wednesday night, UK will travel to Martin, Tennessee, to face the UT Martin Skyhawks. 

Three. The Wildcats got three home runs in the game, including the go-ahead home run from Rachael Metzger in the top of the sixth and two earlier home runs from Abbey Cheek, both of which were absolute bombs. 

With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, junior Rachael Metzger hit a homer to straight-away CF to score two runs after Alex Martens had walked following a bases-clearing home run from Abbey Cheek. Metzger’s home run gave UK a 9-8 lead and capped off the improbable comeback. 

Abbey Cheek was the key player in the game, going 2-for-4 with two monster home runs, as she hit three on the weekend. 

After back-to-back singles to start the game, Braxton Burnside homered to left to score three runs. Kentucky then committed three defensive errors, allowing a fourth unearned run to score and Missouri took the early 4-0 lead. MIZ 4, UK 0

In the top of the second, Alex Martens led off the inning with a double to the gap in right center, and was brought around to score on a throwing error by the Missouri pitcher, Cheyenne Baxter. MIZ 4, UK 1

In the bottom of the second, Missouri tacked on two runs after the first two batters reached base and then two outs later, Kolby Romaine singled through the right side to score two runs. MIZ 6, UK 1

In the top of the third, Beanne Ray singled, and pinch runner Brynlee Bigelow stole second base to get in scoring position for Alex Martens, who knocked in her first run of the game. MIZ 6, UK 2

The Tigers added a seventh run in the bottom of the third on a Kentucky fielding error with two outs to make it 7-2. MIZ 7, UK 2

In the top of the fifth inning, Abby Cheek hit her first home run of the game on a blast over the berm in left field to give the Wildcats their third run of the game. MIZ 7, UK 3

Kentucky scored six improbable runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 9-7 lead on four hits, and with the help of one Missouri error. Erin Rethlake led off the inning with her third double of the weekend, and she came around to score on a Bailey Vick RBI single into shallow center. After a 6-3 groundout by Jenny Schaper to put two outs on the board, Breanne Ray lifted a catchable ball to CF that dropped for an error and scored Vick from second base. Abbey Cheek then homered to straight-away center to make it a one-run game. Missouri then made a pitching change to the starter, Cheyenne Baxter, who allowed a walk to Alex Martens and then a home run to Rachael Metzger to score UK’s fifth and sixth runs of the inning. UK 9, MIZ 8

The Wildcats added on an insurance run in the seventh as Schaper was hit by a pitch from Baxter with the bases loaded. UK 10, MIZ 8

In the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers got two two-out baserunners, but Erin Rethlake got a strikeout swinging of Kirsten Mack to end the game and complete the comeback. FINAL – No. 20 Kentucky 10, Missouri 8

For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.