Humes, Schorman in Circle Lead Kentucky into Winner’s Bracket
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats got five innings from pitcher Autumn Humes in the circle and two quality innings from freshman Meghan Schorman to win its way into the winner’s bracket of the 2019 NCAA Lexington Regional with a 7-2 opening day victory over Toledo.
With the result on Friday, Kentucky advances to play Virginia Tech on Saturday at Noon ET in the winner’s bracket game. The winner of that will advance into the regional final, with the loser playing an elimination game Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. ET against the winner of Illinois and Toledo.
Things got off to a rocky start for UK, as Toledo strung together five-straight two-out singles to plate a pair of runs in the top of the first. However, Kentucky responded with four runs in the bottom of the first – as Abbey Cheek hit a two-run double and Lauren Johnson added on with an RBI single.
After an Alex Martens two-run bomb to left center in the bottom of the fifth, Kentucky brought in Meghan Schorman to close out the game and she allowed just one hit to the nine batters she faced.
ESPN3 will have coverage of the entire Lexington Regional this weekend, including Kentucky’s game with Virginia Tech on Saturday at Noon ET. The game will also stream live on the ESPN app and portions may appear on ESPN’s Bases Loaded coverage.
UK will be the designated home team in tomorrow’s game vs. Virginia Tech.
Key Stat
3. After allowing five Rocket hits in the top of the first, Kentucky pitching allowed just three hits in the final six innings of the game.
Key Play
Abbey Cheek’s two-run double was the key play in the game, erasing a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first to score Jenny Schaper and Katie Reed who led off the inning with walks. Cheek advanced to third on an error and scored on a first and third play.
Key Player
Lauren Johnson was the key player in the game, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of singles and a double. Her RBI single in the bottom of the first plated Kayla Kowalik to make it a 4-2 UK lead.
Run Recap
Toledo got five-consecutive two-out singles in the top of the first to score its only two runs of the game. TOL 2, UK 0
In the bottom of the first, Abbey Cheek hammered a two-strike double to the wall in center, scoring Schaper and Reed who led off the inning with walks. Cheek advanced to third on a first-and-third play and Kayla Kowalik scored on an RBI single by Lauren Johnson. UK 4, TOL 2
In the bottom of the fifth, Alex Martens hit her 12th home run of the season off of the John Cropp Stadium scoreboard to put the Wildcats up 6-2. Kentucky would add a run thanks to a sacrifice fly from Kelsee Henson with the bases loaded and one out to score Kowalik. FINAL – (14) Kentucky 7, Toledo 2
2019 NCAA Softball Lexington Regional
John Cropp Stadium – Lexington, Ky.
Friday, May 17
Game 1 – Virginia Tech def. Illinois, 6-2
Game 2 – Kentucky def. Toledo, 7-2
Saturday, May 18
Game 3 – Virginia Tech (A) vs. Kentucky (H) – Noon ET
Game 4 – Toledo (A) vs. Illinois (H) – 2:30 p.m. ET
Game 5 – Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 – 5 p.m. ET
Sunday, May 19
Game 6 – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 – Noon ET
Game 7 – (If necessary) – 2:30 p.m. ET
For the latest on UK Softball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSoftball.
