Four-Run Fifth Catapults No. 18 Tennessee To Series-Opening Win

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 18 Tennessee Lady Vols used a four-run fifth inning to catapult past No. 7 Kentucky 6-1 in the series opener on Friday night at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium.
 
The series continues on Saturday night at 6 p.m. ET for game two of the three-game set. The game will be shown live on ESPN2 with Beth Mowins and Michele Smith on the call.
 
Kayla Kowalik’s sixth home run of the season was Kentucky’s only run of the game, coming in the top of the third inning. That homer tied the game for the time being on a bullet to left center off the videoboard.
 
The game would remain tied until the bottom of the fifth inning when Tennessee scored four runs on five hits, chasing Kentucky pitcher Autumn Humes was relieved by Miranda Stoddard in the circle. Humes suffered the loss, just her third of the season.
 
Tennessee improves to 27-5 on the year and is now 3-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Kentucky falls to 26-6 overall and is now 3-4 in league play.
 
Key Stat
3. Kentucky’s offense had a season-low three hits in the game.
 
Key Player
Kayla Kowalik was the key player in the game, scoring UK’s only run on a solo home run in the third.
 
Key Play
Tennessee scored in the bottom of the first on an Cailin Harris RBI single to score Amanda Ayala. UT 1, UK 0
 
Kentucky tied the game in the top of the third on a home run from Kayla Kowalik. UK 1, UT 1
 
Tennessee used five hits to push across four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Wildcats changed pitchers and went to Miranda Stoddard to close out the frame. UT 5, UK 1
 
In the bottom of the sixth, and RBI single by Ashley Morgan tacked on a sixth run to push UT’s lead to 6-1. FINAL – Tennessee 6, Kentucky 1
 
For the latest on UK Softball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSoftball.