Nine-Run Third Inning Give No. 10 Florida Series Opener Friday
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 10 Florida scored nine runs in the bottom of the third inning Friday night, as it took the series opener with No. 23 Kentucky in run-rule fashion, 10-2. The series will resume Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on SEC Network+.
Kentucky took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning as Jenna Blanton reached on a lead-off single and scored on a Florida error to tie the game with an out. Freshman Ally Hutchins then plated the go-ahead run on an RBI single into left field as Margaret Tobias scored from third to give UK the lead.
Florida then was able to score nine runs on seven hits in the bottom of the third as they ran through three Kentucky pitchers, including chasing Kentucky starting pitcher Jaden Vickers from the game. The Gators had a grand slam as one of three home runs in the 13-batter inning and four walks in addition to a hit by pitch.
Florida is now 26-4 on the season and sits 3-1 in the SEC. Kentucky falls to 20-9 and is 0-4 in the conference for the first time since 2006 and the first time under head coach Rachel Lawson in her 17-season helm at UK.
Key Play
The key play in Friday’s game was Reagan Walsh’s grand slam in the bottom of the third inning to take a 2-2 game and break it open for the Gators to make it 6-2.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player in the game was Jenna Blanton, who went 2-for-2 at the plate with two singles and a run scored on the afternoon.
Key Stat
- It has been 18 years since Kentucky was 0-4 in SEC play.
Run Recap
Florida’s Korbe Otis scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on an RBI single up the middle as Skylar Wallace touched home to give the Gators the lead. UF 1, UK 2
In the top of the second inning, Jenna Blanton reached on a single and Margaret Tobias walked to put two on with no outs. After a Florida error scored Blanton, Ally Hutchins drove in a run on a single to score a second run and give Kentucky the 2-1 lead. UK 2, UF 1
Florida scored nine times in the bottom of the third on seven hits, including three home runs, a grand slam and four free passes given up by the Kentucky pitching staff. FINAL – Florida 10, Kentucky 2
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