Cheek’s 12th Homer, Humes’ Complete Game Guides UK To 4-2 Win
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior third baseman Abbey Cheek launched a two-run home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth inning to plate the go-ahead and game-winning run for the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats as they evened the series with a 4-2 win over No. 6 Georgia on Saturday at John Cropp Stadium.
Autumn Humes got her ninth win in the circle for the Wildcats with a complete-game performance in the circle, allowing one of the best offenses in the nation just two runs on six hits. Humes didn’t walk a batter in the game, and had three strikeouts. Her record is now 9-5 on the season and she picks up her third top-10 win of the season (LSU).
Game three to decide the series will be at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon in Lexington. It’s Bark in the Park at John Cropp Stadium, as fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to the ballpark with a donation to the Lexington Humane Society. The game will be shown live on the SEC Network+, ESPN3 and the ESPN app with Dave Baker (pxp) and Dorian Craft (color) on the call.
Key Stat
1. Kentucky on Saturday became the first SEC team this season to hold Georgia to two runs or less in two games of a series. Combined with Grace Baalman’s one-run game last night, UGA has plated just three runs in 14 innings against the Wildcats.
Key Play
With Kentucky trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning, Alex Martens hit a two-out two-RBI single up the middle to score Bailey Vick and Katie Reed to tie the game and score UK’s first pair of runs in the series.
Key Player
Abbey Cheek was the key player in the game, going 1-for-1 at the plate with a pinch-hit, opposite-field, first-pitch, game-winning home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Run Recap
Al-American candidate Cortni Emanuel began the game with an infield single and came around to score with the assistance of a Kentucky throwing error. UGA 1, UK 0
Emanuel scored again on an Alyssa DiCarlo two-out single to left. UGA 2, UK 0
In the bottom of the third, Bailey Vick had UK’s first hit with a flare to LF and then Katie Reed bunted her way on for a hit to put two on with one out. Jenny Schaper moved the runners over with a flyout to left before Martens brought them in with a two-out single up the middle. UK 2, UGA 2
The game was won in the bottom of the fourth as Abbey Cheek stepped up after an Autumn Humes double to left field. Cheek powered a ball over the wall in RF to plate two and send UK to the lead. FINAL – #18 Kentucky 4, #6 Georgia 2
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