Softball
Charlotte Walks Off No. 14 Kentucky 4-3 Down To Its Last Out

Charlotte Walks Off No. 14 Kentucky 4-3 Down To Its Last Out

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte 49ers hit a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to beat No. 14 Kentucky 4-3 on Saturday night.

UK led 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh and freshman Sydney Langdon had struck out six batters, including the lead-off of the seventh, but a hit by pitch and a walk sandwiched a popout and down to its final out, the 49ers clubbed a homer to right center to walk it off and win the game.

Kentucky falls to 12-3 on the year with the loss. Charlotte with the win improves to 9-6.

The Wildcats took the lead breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single up the middle by freshman Peyton Plotts, scoring sophomore Karissa Hamilton who pinch hit earlier in the inning and singled. Another freshman, Ally Hutchins, homered to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning to left field to give Kentucky a two-run lead in the seventh as the Wildcats doubled their lead.

The Wildcats went 2-for-13 with runners on base in the game, as they were never retired in order in any of the seven innings, but UK couldn’t capitalize early in the game on its opportunities offensively in the game.

Kentucky will close out its stay in the Queen City on Sunday with a doubleheader, due to the rains in the area on Friday that cancelled play. The Wildcats will play Fordham beginning at 10 a.m. ET followed by a 12:30 p.m. ET match-up with the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks. Both games will not be streamed, but live stats will be available on UKathletics.com.

Key Play 

The walk-off homer was the key play in the game.

Key Player  

Kentucky’s key player was Peyton Plotts who gave Kentucky a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI single in a pinch-hit appearance.

Key Stat 

The key stat was that Kentucky was 2-for-13 with runners on base in the game.

Run Recap 

In the top of the second inning, Grace Lorsung hit her second home run of the day on a solo shot out to left field to give Kentucky first blood in the game. UK 1, CLT 0

With two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the third inning, the 49ers got a double to straight-away center to put a runner into scoring position and then tied the game on an RBI single through the right side. UK 1, CLT 1

Peyton Plotts hit an RBI single to score Karissa Hamilton in the top of the fifth inning. UK 2, CLT 1

In the top of the seventh, the Wildcats got a solo home run from Ally Hutchins to double its lead to 3-1. UK 3, CLT 1

Charlotte got a walk-off home run with two outs after a walk and a hit by pitch put two on with two outs. FINAL – Charlotte 4, Kentucky 3

 

NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club

The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball.  Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed.  For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.

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

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