Humes’ Gem, Martens’ Clutch Hit Propels UK To Win Over No. 23 JMU
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Autumn Humes allowed zero earned runs and junior slugger Alex Martens had two clutch hits as the No. 21 Kentucky softball team picked up its second-straight win over a ranked opponent on Sunday as UK downed No. 23 James Madison on the final day of the 2019 ESPN St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational.
Kentucky moves to 6-5 on the season, and is over .500 for the first time this season. With the loss, James Madison falls to 3-2 and ends the weekend with wins over two ranked teams. Kentucky finishes the Elite Invitational 4-2 with wins over Hofstra, Utah, No. 19 Oregon and No. 23 James Madison.
Autumn Humes pitched a complete game with only one run allowed – and it was unearned. In the game, Humes struck out four batters and only walked two. The junior from Bald Knob, Arkansas threw 110 pitches with 70 of them recorded as strikes.
The clutch hit of the game came off the bat of Alex Martens in the top of the fifth inning with the bases loaded. After the Wildcats were held without a hit for the first four innings, Katie Reed looped a single into right field to break up Megan Good’s no-hitter. After a single by Jenny Schaper and a walk to Cheek – Martens clubbed a bases-clearing triple into right field to score three runs.
The Wildcats added three more in the seventh inning off of a two-run home run from Alex Martens and a solo blast from Jenny Schaper.
Kentucky will continue with its non-conference road trip on Thursday, as UK competes in the 2019 Mary Nutter Classic. The Wildcats will play No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 Washington, California, North Carolina and Bethune-Cookman.
Key Stat
5. Alex Martens had her first 5-RBI game as a Wildcat in her career. She roped a bases-clearing triple to the wall in right and then also a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.
Key Play
On an extended 13-pitch at bat, Jenny Schaper homered to straight-away center to increase UK’s lead to 4-1.
Key Player
Autumn Humes was the key player in the game, going the distance in the circle and picking up her second win of the season.
Run Recap
James Madison scored its only run of the game on a passed ball in the bottom of the second inning. JMU 1, UK 0
After a lead-off single, infield single and a walk – Martens’ triple cleared the bases and gave UK a 3-1 lead. UK 3, JMU 1
Jenny Schaper homered to lead off the top of the seventh on a 13-pitch at bat. That was followed by a two-run home run by Alex Martens. FINAL – #21 Kentucky 6, #23 James Madison 1
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