Coffel Ties UK Home Run Record in 8-0 Run Rule Win Over Gophers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Senior Erin Coffel hit her Kentucky Softball record-tying 61st-career home run as one of four homers on the day for Kentucky as the Wildcats run-ruled Minnesota 8-0 in six innings in day two of the 2024 Queen City Classic in Charlotte.
Coffel’s long ball came on the third pitch of the game for the Kentucky offense and the first at bat of the game for UK as she lifted a towering fly ball out of the park and out of the softball complex entirely in left field. Her homer ties her with Abbey Cheek, who hit 61 homers from 2016-2019. Her next home run will give her the solo career home run record at UK.
Kentucky scored in every inning Saturday afternoon, with one run in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings with a two-spot thrown up in the second and sixth frames. It’s the first time this season that UK has scored in every inning of a game this season. Joining Coffel in the home run party Saturday was freshman Peyton Plotts, senior Grace Lorsung and fifth-year Rylea Smith, who comprised the four long balls for Kentucky.
In the circle, Stephanie Schoonover pitched a complete-game shutout, carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning with three walks and five strikeouts, needing just over 100 pitches to get through the Gophers in the contest. With the win, Schoonover upped her 2024 record in the circle to 7-1, with the seven wins currently leading the way for UK.
The No. 14 Wildcats will play (RV) Charlotte on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN+ in the nightcap of day two at the 2024 Queen City Classic.
Key Play
The key play in the game was Erin Coffel’s record-tying home run to lead off the game.
Key Player
Rylea Smith was the key player Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a single and a home run, including the walk-off bomb in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Key Stat
- Kentucky hit four home runs in the game Saturday night.
Run Recap
Erin Coffel led off the game with a swing for history, as she crushed her 61st-career home run to left center to tie the Kentucky Softball career HR record and push Kentucky to an early lead in the contest. UK 1, MINN 0
Grace Lorsung led off the bottom of the second with a triple and scored on a Golden Gopher error during Tobias’ at bat to double the lead. A third run scored as Coffel drove in her second run of the game on a single up the middle to score Tobias from second as Kentucky closed the inning leading by three. UK 3, MINN 0
In the bottom of the third, Lauryn Borzilleri led off the frame with a walk and was pinch ran for by Emory Donaldson. After a perfect sac bunt by freshman Delani Sullivan, Karissa Hamilton belted an RBI double into left field to give Kentucky its fourth run of the game. UK 4, MINN 0
Freshman Peyton Plotts led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo jack to center. UK 5, MINN 0
In the fifth, Grace Lorsung hit the Wildcats’ third dinger of the day, and her second extra-base hit of the game to left to put the sixth run on the board for UK. UK 6, MINN 0
After Erin Coffel reached on a walk with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Rylea Smith turned on a pitch to right field as the game ended due to a run rule and the Wildcats walked off the Gophers. FINAL – Kentucky 8, Minnesota 0 (F/6)
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.
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