Softball Shuts Out Lipscomb 18-0 in Fall Ball Matchup
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball program continued its slate of fall exhibitions on Sunday, defeating Lipscomb 18-0 over seven innings. The Wildcats are now 5-0 during the 2023 fall season.
For the second time this week, the Cats offense dominated the game, scoring in every inning it batted to score 18 times. The 18 runs is a new high during the fall schedule, surpassing Thursday’s 17-run performance against Georgetown College. The Wildcats also tallied 17 hits, with Margaret Tobias, Vanessa Nesby, and Karissa Hamilton recording multi-hit days. Hamilton, Hallie Mitchell, Rylea Smith, Erin Coffel, and Meeko Harrison notched extra-base hits. Kentucky scored runs in every inning it batted and multiple runs in five of six plate appearances, highlighted by a six-spot in the second frame.
All five pitchers on the Kentucky staff combined for the shutout, the third instance of the exhibition slate and second in two games this week. Senior Stephanie Schoonover got the start in the circle, going two scoreless innings while recording five of six outs via strikeout. Fifth-Year Transfer recorded four punchouts in two innings of work, while sophomore Taylor Hess, junior Alexia Lacatena, and freshman Sydney Langdon all saw one inning of action. Langdon registered two Ks in the 7th, her only inning of work, to finish off the shutout.
The Wildcats will continue fall action on Sunday, October 8, taking their only road trip of the preseason to South Bend, Ind. Kentucky will play twice as part of a three team round robin event featuring UIC and host Notre Dame. Play from Melissa Cook Stadium will get underway with the Wildcats facing the Flames at 11 a.m. (ET). Kentucky’s second and final game of the day will feature a clash between the Cats and the Irish at 1:30 p.m. (ET). UIC and Notre Dame will round out action at 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Key Play
In the fifth inning, freshman centerfielder Delani Sullivan kept the shutout alive with a great throw from centerfield to gun down a Lipscomb runner trying to score from second base on a base hit. It would be the closet the Bisons got to home plate all game.
Key Player
Karissa Hamilton was two for two on the game, with both hits driving in early runs for the Cats. She added four RBI after an RBI single in the first and a three-run home run in the second.
Key Stat
14. Fourteen different Wildcat hitters recorded a base hit in Sunday’s contest.
Run Recap
For the third time this fall, Coffel opened up Kentucky’s scoring efforts with a first inning home run. After Tobias singled and reached second on an error, the All-American blasted an opposite field liner over the right field road to plate a pair. Later in the opening inning, Hamilton drove a ball up the middle to score Grace Lorsung who walked and stole second. UK 3, LIP 0
Kentucky’s biggest inning of the day came in the second, as the Cats put up six runs, all of which came with two outs. Smith crushed a ball over the centerfielder’s head, earning a 2-RBI triple. One batter later, Vickers reached on an infield single up the middle to drive in Smith. After an Bison error extended the inning, Hamilton put a exclamation mark on the stanza, demolishing a ball to left center field to plate three more. UK 9, LIP 0
After back-to-back walks to open the third, back-to back RBI singles from freshmen Emory Donaldson and Cassie Reasner plated a pair for the Cats. After a bunt single from Nesby loaded the bases, Vickers notched her second RBI of the day on a double play. The fourth and final run of the frame would be delivered on an RBI single by Erica Thulen. UK 13, LIP 0
In the fourth, Meeko Harrison lined a two-run home to right center field to drive in a pair for the Cats. UK 15, LIP 0
Hallie Mitchell drove in two more runs on a double down the right field line, scoring Nesby and Lacatena who both reached to lead off the fifth inning. UK 17, LIP 0
Erin Coffel drove in the final run of the game, scoring Harrison on a sacrifice fly to left field. FINAL—Kentucky 18, Lipscomb 0
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