Schorman’s First SEC Start Pushes No. 18 UK to Sweep of No. 11 USC

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Freshman pitcher Meghan Schorman held one of the best offenses in the country to only one run on six hits in 5.1 innings on Sunday afternoon, as she earned her first-career Southeastern Conference win in No. 18 Kentucky’s 5-1 win over No. 11 South Carolina, clinching a series sweep to start league play.
 
The freshman right hander threw 91 pitches to the 25 batters she faced in Sunday’s win allowing just one run in the game. She walked four batters and struck out two. She was also aided by perfect Kentucky defense all day, as the Wildcats turned two double plays in the game and six all weekend long.
 
Kentucky’s offense had Schorman’s back all game, as the Wildcats never trailed all game long – and all weekend long for that matter. UK score two runs in the top of the second and fourth innings and then one run for insurance in the top of the seventh.
 
Junior pitcher Autumn Humes closed out the final five outs in the circle for Kentucky, only allowing one of the six batters she faced to reach base.
 
With Sunday’s result, Kentucky improves to 15-7 overall on the season and is 3-0 in SEC play. South Carolina falls to 18-5 overall and is 0-3 in conference action.
 
After a five-week 23-game road stretch to open the season, the Wildcats will open the 2019 season at John Cropp Stadium on Tuesday night against Miami University. The game will be shown live on the SEC Network+, ESPN3 and the ESPN app with Dave Baker and NFCA Executive Director, Carol Bruggeman on the call from Lexington. First pitch is 6 p.m. ET.
 
Key Stat
0. Zero is the number of pitches that Kentucky’s pitching staff threw this weekend while trailing in the game. The Wildcats needed just 274 pitches to get through the weekend, while making the Gamecock pitching staff throw 427 times to UK batters.
 
Key Play
Alex Martens’ two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to extend UK’s lead from 2-1 to 4-1 was the key play in Sunday’s game. Martens drew two walks in the game in addition to her two-run HR.
 
Key Player
Kelsee Henson was the key player in the game, with a single and a SAC fly that ended up winning the game in the top of the second inning.
 
Run Recap
In the top of the second in a first and third situation, Katie Reed stole second and baited a throw to the base which allowed pinch runner Jaci Babbs to score. Reed advanced to third on an error and was brought home on a sacrifice fly to right field. UK 2, USC 0
 
Lauren Stewart scored the only run of the game for South Carolina on a solo HR to center on the first pitch in the bottom of the second inning. UK 2, USC 1
 
Alex Martens hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, scoring herself and Abbey Cheek – who singled to lead off the inning. UK 4, USC 1
 
With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the seventh, Abbey Cheek hit into a double play that scored Sarah Rainwater from third. Rainwater had a double to right center to lead off the inning. FINAL – #18 Kentucky 5, #11 South Carolina 1
 
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