Lawson Wins 400th Game at UK as Wildcats Run-Rule Hofstra, Utah

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Rachel Lawson became the first coach in program history to record 400 career wins as Kentucky’s head coach on Friday night, as the No. 21 Wildcats run-ruled both Hofstra (8-0) and Utah (13-2) in day two of the ESPN St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational presented by Wilson.
 
With its two wins, Kentucky moves to .500 on the season and is 4-4 on the year for the first time in 2019.
 
In game one of the day, Larissa Spellman pitched her first-career complete-game shutout, going the distance against Hofstra, only allowing two hits in an 8-0 win over the Pride. Alex Martens clubbed a three-run home run in the opening inning, which paced the UK attack.
 
In the afternoon game of the day for UK, Autumn Humes picked up the win in the circle going the distance, only allowing two runs in the final inning against the Utes. UK scored 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning, and rolled to a victory, paced by Mallory Peyton’s second-career grand slam – headlining the bottom of the second inning.
 
The Elite Invitational continues Saturday afternoon for Kentucky, as UK will face No. 11 Texas at 10 a.m. ET live on the SEC Network with Tiffany Greene (pxp) and former Texas A&M All-American, Amanda Scarbrough on the call. UK plays No. 19 Oregon at 4 p.m. ET live on ESPNU with Beth Mowins (pxp), Michele Smith (color) and Holly Rowe (dugouts). Both games will stream live on ESPN3 and the ESPN app.
 
Kentucky vs. Hofstra
Key Stat
1. Saturday marked the first-career complete-game shutout for Larissa Spellman in the circle. The junior went the distance, allowing just three hits, two walks and also struck out two batters.
 
Key Play
Alex Martens hit a three-run home run to right in the bottom of the first inning to ignite the Kentucky offense.
 
Key Player
Kayla Kowalik was the key player in the game, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a walk.
 
Run Recap
Alex Martens hit a three-run home run to right field, scoring herself, Kayla Kowalik and Abbey Cheek. UK 3, HOF 0
 
Mallory Peyton hit a two run home run to left field scoring herself and Lauren Johnson – who walked to begin the rally. UK 5, HOF 0
 
After back-to-back walks in the third inning, Kayla Kowalik roped a two-RBI triple to right field, scoring Kelsee Henson and Bailey Vick on the play. UK 7, HOF 0
 
After the Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, freshman Tatum Spangler singled up the middle to score Hannah Davis and walk off the Wildcats with an 8-0 win. FINAL – Kentucky 8, Hofstra 0 (5 innings)
 
Kentucky vs. Utah
Key Stat
10. The 10 runs scored by the Wildcats in the bottom of the second inning was the most runs scored in a single inning since UK scored 12 runs in the opening inning of a 12-run first against North Carolina in 2013 at John Cropp Stadium.
 
Key Play
Mallory Peyton hit her second-career grand slam in the bottom of the second inning to put the Wildcats on top 10-0.
 
Key Player
The key player in the game was Maclai Branson – who clubbed a near-home run to center – and notched her first-career RBI, scoring Mallory Peyton from third.
 
Run Recap
The Wildcats put eight batters on in a row to start the inning without recording an out. Lauren Johnson and Mallory Peyton scored on a hit to the wall by Autumn Humes. Bailey Vick singled up the middle to score Humes from third. Kayla Kowalik ground-rule doubled to center to put two in scoring position for Katie Reed. Reed walked to load the bases, and Abbey Cheek doubled to score three runs. Utah then made a pitching change, and a walk put runners on the corners. After a walk to Lauren Johnson – Mallory Peyton added four to the Wildcats’ total with a grand slam that was gone off the bat to left field. UK 10, UTAH 0
 
In the bottom of the third, Reed and Schaper were both hit by pitch’s and came around to score on an Abbey Cheek double and an Alex Martens sac fly. UK 12, UTAH 0
 
UK added a thirteenth run in the fourth as Mallory Peyton doubled and came around to score on Maclai Branson’s sac fly. UK 13, UTAH 0
 
Utah scored twice in the seventh on back-to-back RBI hits. FINAL – Kentucky 13, Utah 2
 
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