Seventh-Inning Run Keeps No. 3 LSU Undefeated
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 3 LSU Tigers ran their undefeated start to the season to 21-0 Saturday evening, scoring a go-ahead run with two outs in the top of the seventh to beat No. 21 Kentucky, 4-3.
With the win, LSU secures the series win in the opening weekend of Southeastern Conference play as Kentucky will look to salvage the series with a win Sunday at Noon ET. The game will be carried live on SEC Network.
Freshman Ally Hutchins hit her third home run of the season in the game and first in SEC play as UK climbed out of an early 2-0 hole, but five errors by the Wildcats cost Kentucky the game as the Tigers scored just two runs in the game that were earned, making it just three of its 10 runs all weekend that have come as earned runs.
The Tigers in the top of the seventh got a one-out single, and the runner advanced to second on UK’s fifth error of the night. After a nice play by Erin Coffel at short on a 6-3 putout kept the runner at second for the second out, LSU took the lead as Ali Newland laced an RBI single into right to score the run. Kentucky got a runner on in the seventh via a walk, but three popouts ended the game.
Jaden Vickers was the tough-luck loser Saturday night, throwing a complete game in her first-career SEC start allowing just two earned runs, walking none and striking out four. Only one of the Tigers’ 10 hits were for extra bases.
LSU is 21-0 and 2-0 in the SEC. Kentucky falls to 14-6 on the year and 0-2 in the SEC. It is just the second time this season UK has lost back-to-back games.
Key Play
Jenna Blanton reached on an error in the bottom of the sixth inning as a run scored for UK and Kentucky tied the game 3-3 to push a runner to second with no outs. The Wildcats were unable to score that run, and LSU plated the go-ahead run in the seventh.
Key Player
Ally Hutchins was the key Kentucky player in the game going 2-for-4 with a home run and a single.
Key Stat
- Kentucky committed five errors, by far the most in a game this season.
Run Recap
LSU scored in the top of the first on an RBI single and a Kentucky error. LSU 2, UK 0
In the bottom of the first, Erin Coffel led off the game with a walk and scored on an RBI single with two outs by Grace Lorsung into right center. LSU 2, UK 1
Ally Hutchins tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run down the left-field line. UK 2, LSU 2
The Tigers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth after back-to-back hirs by McKenzie Redoutey and Maci Bergeron. LSU 3, UK 2,
Kentucky tied the game on an LSU error in the bottom of the sixth. UK 3, LSU 3
LSU won the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Ali Newland. FINAL – LSU 4, Kentucky 3
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