Uncharacteristic Errors Eliminate Kentucky from SEC Tourney

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Freshman outfielder Lauren Johnson launched the first home run of her Kentucky career in the top of the second inning, but the Kentucky softball team committed costly errors, uncharacteristically, to cost themselves a spot in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals, dropping a 3-1 decision to Arkansas on Wednesday.
 
The Wildcats entered the week ranked top 10 in the country in fielding percentage, but committed two costly errors to allow three unearned runs to Arkansas, and handed the Razorbacks their first SEC Tournament win in 17 years.
 
The 2018 NCAA Softball Selection Show will take place on Sunday night at 10 p.m. ET live on ESPN2. Women’s College World Series announcers Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Amanda Scarbrough will unveil the field of 64 live on ESPN2, along with the 16 teams that will host the regional round on campus sites.
 
Key Stat
Zero. Freshman pitcher Grace Baalman allowed zero earned runs on Wednesday in her first SEC Tournament a postseason game, throwing all seven innings and allowing just four Razorback hits. Baalman walked only one batter and struck out four.
 
Key Play
Lauren Johnson hitting her first-career home run in the top of the second inning was the key play in the game. The freshman outfielder from Owensboro, Kentucky launched a solo blast to right field to put the Wildcats ahead 1-0.
 
Key Player
Grace Baalman was the key player in the game, going the distance, allowing zero earned runs, one walk and striking out four.
 
Run Recap
Lauren Johnson opened the scoring with a home run to right in the top of the second inning. UK 1, ARK 0
 
In the bottom of the third, Arkansas got two runs off a Kentucky throwing error when the Wildcats. ARK 2, UK 1
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Arkansas scored another run as a Kentucky error plated a run with two outs. FINAL – (10) Arkansas 3, (7) Kentucky 1
 
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