Baalman Strikes Out Career-High Nine in 1-0 Loss at Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a tightly-contested pitcher’s duel the No. 13 Arkansas Razorbacks got a fifth inning solo home run off the bat of Danielle Gibson to beat the Kentucky Wildcats, 1-0. It is the fifth-straight loss for the Wildcats.
 
UK pitcher Grace Baalman made only one mistake on the night, as she threw a complete game in the circle and had a career-high nine strikeouts over the course of the game. Baalman needed just over 100 pitches to complete the game, issued only two walks and only four hits.
 
Autumn Storms won the game in the circle for Arkansas, only surrendering three hits and two walks in the game. She struck out six UK players, including two to end scoring threats.
 
Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be shown live on the SEC Network+, ESPN3 and the ESPN app.
 
Key Stat
9. Grace Baalman had nine strikeouts in the game, a new career high. She had two in each of the first three innings of the game, as well.
 
Key Play
The only scoring play of the game was a solo home run to right field by Danielle Gibson. That was the key play of the game.
 
Key Player
Abbey Cheek was a critical player in the game on Friday night, making two great plays at third base defensively and then doing her job offensively of getting on base with two two-out intentional walks.
 
Run Recap
With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Danielle Gibson hit a home run to right field. FINAL – Arkansas 1, Kentucky 0
 
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