Abbey Cheek Breaks UK RBI Record in Run-Rule Win Over St. Louis
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Senior Abbey Cheek broke the Kentucky RBI record on Friday afternoon in a 10-0 win over Saint Louis at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga.
Cheek stepped to the plate in the top of the first with two on and one out and hit a two-RBI single into left to score Jenny Schaper and Katie Reed. Schaper’s run counted as Cheek’s 161st-career RBI to tie Brittany Cervantes’ mark, and Reed’s run broke the record to supplant Cheek as the school’s all-time leader in runs batted in.
Kentucky won the game 10-0 in five innings, as UK struck for three runs in the first and fourth innings, and scored at least one run in every other inning of the game. Freshman pitcher Tatum Spangler earned her first-career win in the circle, going three full innings without allowing a run on two hits and striking out three.
UK improves to 10-7 on the season with Friday’s result over SLU. The Billikens fall to 2-8. Starting pitcher Kaylea Chappelle earned the loss and is now 0-2 this year.
The 2019 Coach B Classic at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga will continue on Sunday as UK plays hosts Southern Illinois 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by Murray State at 4:45 p.m. ET.
Key Stat
162. With 162 career RBI, Abbey Cheek set a new school record for career runs batted in.
Key Play
The key play in the game was Tatum Spangler striking out the side in the bottom of the SLU third inning. After the first two batters in the inning reached, the freshman struck out the side to escape the jam with no damage done.
Key Player
Alex Martens was the key player in the game, going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a home run.
Run Recap
Abbey Cheek singled through the left side in the top of the first to score Jenny Schaper and Katie Reed. Later in the inning, Cheek came around to score in an Alex Martens opposite-field single. UK 3, SLU 0
In the top of the second, Bailey Vick led off the inning with an infield single, stole second, stole third and then came home on a wild pitch. UK 4, SLU 0
In the top of the third, Cheek led off the inning with a walk and came around to score on a bases-loaded groundout with one out off the bat of Sarah Rainwater. UK 5, SLU 0
In the fourth – Katie Reed and Abbey Cheek both singled in the inning and Alex Martens hit a home run to right field on a missile. UK 8, SLU 0
Kennedy Cowden walked with the bases loaded and the Wildcats added a second run in the top of the fifth to end the scoring. FINAL – #17 Kentucky 10, Saint Louis 0 (5 innings)
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