Coffel Breaks Kentucky All-Time RBI Record in Win Over Marshall
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Erin Coffel hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday night to become Kentucky Softball’s all-time runs batted in leader for her career as the three-run blast gave her RBI’s number 201, 202 and 203 to pass Abbey Cheek’s 202 from 2016-2019 in a 7-0 win over Marshall at John Cropp Stadium.
Kentucky got a complete-game shutout from senior pitcher Stephanie Schoonover in the circle, as she went the distance, allowing just four hits and struck out five in the win. Coffel went 1-for-1 on the day with a three-run home run, a pair of walks and a hit by pitch.
All told, Kentucky launched 15 hits in the seven-inning affair Wednesday night, as four of them came off the bat of senior Rylea Smith, who went 4-for-4 who was a home run shy of the cycle with two singles, a double and a triple. One of Smith’s hits was an RBI single as Kentucky managed to pull away from the Herd in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With Wednesday night’s result, Kentucky has now won six of its last seven games and improves its 2024 season record to 20-8 on the year. Marshall falls to 16-13. The No. 23 Wildcats are back in action Friday evening for the first game of a three-game series against the No. 10/9 Florida Gators in Gainesville, Fla., at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network with Kevin Brown and Amanda Scarbrough on the call from The Swamp.
Key Play
Erin Coffel’s three-run blast in the bottom of the fourth inning to break the Kentucky school record with her 203rd run batted in was the key play in the game.
Key Player
Rylea Smith was the key player in the game, going 4-for-4 with a pair of singles, a double and a triple.
Key Stat
3. There were three Kentucky players who had multiple hits in the game as Smith was joined by Karissa Hamilton who went 3-for-3 and Margaret Tobias, who had two singles in the action.
Run Recap
Ally Hutchins brought in a run with runners at second and third and no outs in the top of the first and a second run came across in the inning on a wild pitch as Kentucky plated two runs in the opening inning. UK 2, MAR 0
In the bottom of the fifth, Erin Coffel hit a three-run home run and Rylea Smith had an RBI single as the Wildcats put up a five spot in the inning. FINAL – Kentucky 7, Marshall 0
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.
