Softball
Hamilton’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Sends Kentucky Past EKU

Hamilton’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Sends Kentucky Past EKU

by Isabelle Kauffmann, UK Communications

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore catcher Karissa Hamilton hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning Sunday afternoon as Kentucky beat Eastern Kentucky 7-3 in a previously-schedule 10-inninng fall exhibition game.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning against the Colonels, senior Shortstop Erin Coffel drove in junior Margaret Tobias, after she took advantage of a ball, hitting it over the scoreboard, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead on the home run. Later on, Karissa Hamilton hit through the gap for a double, driving in a run scored by Rylea Smith, giving UK the 3-1 edge. In the bottom of the tenth, Hamilton hit a walk-off grand slam.

Freshman Sydney Langdon opened up the exhibition game for the Wildcats, pitching two innings, followed by fifth-year left-handed pitcher, Jaden Vickers, who transferred from Rutgers. Stephanie Schoonover, Taylor Hess, and Alexia Lacatena all pitched two innings for the Wildcats, as well.

Kentucky will take on Parkland College in a doubleheader, which will be two seven-inning games, next weekend. This game will take place at John Cropp Stadium on Sunday, September 24, at 12:00 pm ET.

Key Play 
Karissa Hamilton hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game for the Wildcats. Additionally, Hamilton also hit a double earlier on in the game, assisting the Cats in scoring five out of their seven runs.

Key Player  
Grace Lorsung went 3-for-3, scoring one run that helped lead the Wildcats to their win.

Key Stat 
5. Kentucky used five pitchers throughout all 10 innings.

Run Recap
Aided by a wild pitch, the Eastern Kentucky Colonels scored in the first inning to take the early lead. UK 0, EKU 1

Senior shortstop Erin Coffel hit a towering home run over the scoreboard, drawing in Margaret Tobias to take the lead for UK by a run. UK 2, EKU 1

Karissa Hamilton doubled to the left-center gap, bringing in Rylea Smith to add another run for the Wildcats. UK 3, EKU 1

With a Kentucky error, the Colonels earned two more runs to tie the score in the top of the sixth inning. UK 3, EKU 3

Karissa Hamilton hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the final scheduled inning to win the game for the Wildcats. UK 7, EKU 3.

For the latest on UK Softball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSoftball.

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