No. 3 Oklahoma Beats No. 21 Kentucky in Clearwater

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to knock off the No. 21 Kentucky Wildcats in the opening game for both teams at the inaugural ESPN St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational, 9-1.
 
Lauren Johnson scored the game’s opening run, as she launched a home run to right field to lead off the game.
 
The Wildcats carried the 1-0 lead into the fourth, where a ball found the grass for a triple for the Sooners offense, and after a walk – Sydney Romero homered to left to get the Sooners on the board.
 
Kentucky plays two games on Friday, beginning with Hofstra at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by Utah at 3 p.m. ET.
 
Key Stat
Two. The Wildcats had two hits in the first two batters of the game, but did not register a hit in the final five innings of play.
 
Key Play
Katie Reed fielded a ball at short, and Mallory Peyton made an incredible play at first – doing the full splits up against the bag to deny the Sooners of an infield hit.
 
Key Player
Lauren Johnson was the key player in the game, scoring the Wildcats’ only run in the game on a lead-off home run in the top of the first inning.
 
Run Recap
Lauren Johnson led off the game in the top of the first with a solo home run to right field. UK 1, OU 0
 
The Sooners got three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a three-run home run by Sydney Romero. OU 3, UK 1
 
Caleigh Clifton homered to left field in the bottom of the fourth inning. OU 4, UK 1
 
Oklahoma scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a walk, a pair of hit by pitch’s and a couple of hits. FINAL – #3 Oklahoma 9, Kentucky 1 (6 innings)
 
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