Five Errors Haunt No. 17 Kentucky in Loss to No. 21 Texas Tech
LUBBOCK, Texas – In an uncharacteristic defensive performance, the No. 17 Kentucky softball team committed a season-high five costly errors in a 7-5 loss to No. 21 Texas Tech on Saturday at Rocky Johnson Field.
The five defensive miscues by the Wildcats led to three unearned runs, including the game-winning runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Red Raiders. It’s the most errors in a game since UK committed six vs. Missouri in 2016.
Sophomore first baseman Mallory Peyton led the way offensively for the Wildcats, hitting two homers in the game. Her first blast put UK in the lead at 2-1 in the top of the second inning and her second homer was in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead off the frame.
The two-game series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET in Lubbock. The game will be streamed for a fee at TexasTech.com.
With the loss, the Wildcats fall to 32-20 overall on the season. Saturday’s game is not a conference game, as UK wrapped up league play last weekend. Kentucky still has an outside chance at a bye in the Southeastern Conference Tournament – but would need Georgia to sweep a DH with Ole Miss or a Tennessee loss and help with other teams in tiebreaks.
Key Stat
5. The five errors by Kentucky was a season-high and the most in a single game since 2016 when UK committed six vs. Missouri.
Key Play
The key play was an RBI double to tie the game by Katie Reed in the top of the sixth. Reed stepped up with one out and roped a double into center to tie the game at 5-5 after UK entered the inning trailing, 7-5.
Key Player
Mallory Peyton was the key player in the game, going 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and three RBI.
Run Recap
Texas Tech took the lead on a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first by Karli Hamilton. TTU 1, UK 0
Kentucky took the lead, 2-1 on a two-run homer by Mallory Peyton. UK 2, TTU 1
In the bottom of the second, a three-error inning plated two runs for the Red Raiders. TTU 3, UK 2
Kentucky tied the game in the top of the fifth on a Kayla Kowalik infield single to score pinch runner Olivia Ward from third. UK 3, TTU 3
In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs, the Red Raiders got a walk and a home run to take a 5-3 lead. TTU 5, UK 3
To lead off the sixth, Mallory Peyton hit a solo HR to left and Katie Reed tied the game on a double to center. UK 5, TTU 5
An error with two on and no outs cost the Wildcats a run and then a single brought in a second run to put the Red Raiders in front by two. FINAL – Kentucky 7, Texas Tech 5
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