No. 23 Kentucky Splits Final Day of John Cropp Classic
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 23 Kentucky Softball team split the final day of the 2024 John Cropp Classic on Sunday, defeating Columbia 10-0 in a five-inning run rule, and dropping a back-and-forth 12-6 game to Ohio State to close out the tournament.
Kentucky pelted three home runs in its win over Columbia, as the Wildcats got long balls from Rylea Smith, Grace Lorsung and Meeko Harrison en route to a 10-0 win over the Lions. Jaden Vickers went the distance in the circle for Kentucky, throwing a complete-game shutout over Columbia with only one hit allowed and four strikeouts to up her season record to 5-2.
The Wildcats and Buckeyes exchanged leads five times before Ohio State struck for the big inning in the top of the sixth, scoring seven times, including a grand slam, to take control of the game and close things out in order. UK pitching surrendered five home runs in the contest, with two each coming by Destinee Noury and Kami Kortokrax.
Kentucky will be back in action on Wednesday in a midweek against Marshall. The game will be broadcasted on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Kentucky 10, Columbia 0
Key Play
Grace Lorsung’s two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning was the key play in the game.
Key Player
Meeko Harrison was the key player in the game, hitting her first-career home run.
Key Stat
- Kentucky scored at least once in every at bat of the game.
Run Recap
Grace Lorsung hit a two-run HR in the bottom of the first, and Ella Emmert pelted a two-run double out to left field to score two more. UK 4, CU 0
In the bottom of the second, Rylea Smith hit a three-run home run to right center. UK 7, CU 0
In the bottom of the third, Ally Hutchins hit a two-RBI single to plate two more for the Cats. UK 8, CU 0
Meeko Harrison hit a solo HR in the bottom of the fourth. FINAL – Kentucky 10, Columbia 0
Ohio State 12, Kentucky 6
Key Play
A grand slam by Kortokrax in the top of the sixth was the key play in the game.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player was Rylea Smith, who went 2-for-4.
Key Stat
- Kentucky pitching allowed four HR’s in the game.
Run Recap
Grace Lorsung plated Rylea Smith on an RBI single after Smith reached on a two-out triple. UK 1, OSU 0
Ohio State took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second in a solo home run and an RBI single with two outs. OSU 2, UK 1
Lauryn Borzilleri drove in a run via a sac fly to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second. UK 2, OSU 2
Ohio State re-took the lead in the top of the third on a first and third play. OSU 3, UK 2
In the bottom of the third, Kentucky scored three times as Peyton Plotts hit a two-RBI single into left field and an error plated a third UK run. UK 5, OSU 3
Ohio State hit three-straight extra-base hits with two outs in the top of the fifth to tie the game. UK 5, OSU 5
A Karissa Hamilton RBI sac fly gave Kentucky the lead again in the bottom of the fifth, as Grace Lorsung scored after reaching on an error. UK 6, OSU 5
Ohio State scored seven runs on five hits in the top of the sixth. FINAL – Ohio State 12, Kentucky 6
2024 John Cropp Classic
Game 1 – Ohio State 10, South Dakota State 8
Game 2 – Kentucky 8, South Dakota State 0 (F/5)
Game 3 – Ohio State 9, Columbia 0 (F/5)
Game 4 – South Dakota State 9, Columbia 0 (F/6)
Game 5 – South Dakota State 7, Ohio State 3
Game 6 – Kentucky 12, Columbia 0 (F/5)
Game 7 – Kentucky 9, Ohio State 4
Game 8 – South Dakota State 9, Columbia 1
Game 9 – Kentucky 10, Columbia 0
Game 10 – Ohio State 12, Kentucky 6
Team Standings
Kentucky (4-1)
South Dakota State (3-2)
Ohio State (3-2)
Columbia (0-5)
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.
