Big Inning Dooms Kentucky in 9-4 Loss to No. 13 Alabama
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The big inning doomed Kentucky on Friday night in Lexington as the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide used a five-run sixth to beat the Wildcats 9-4, as it evened the series at one game apiece heading into the rubber match Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. Limited tickets remain, as the game is close to a sellout.
Kentucky got a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to take what was a 4-0 Alabama lead and cut three runs into it at 4-3 as Erin Coffel launched her 11th homer of the season to left center to score Ella Emmert and Hallie Mitchell on the bomb with two outs. After UK cut into the lead and got the first out of the inning in the top of the sixth, Alabama struck for five runs on four hits including a three-run home run by Jenna Johnson as part of a four-RBI day for Johnson.
The Tide got a six-inning performance in the circle from Kayla Beaver, who upped her record to 11-3 on the season with the win. Beaver went six innings, allowing four runs, all earned on two walks and seven strikeouts. Reliever Alea Johnson pitched the seventh inning and after UK put two on in scoring position with on outs, escaped unscathed with a strikeout to end the game. Kentucky used three pitchers Friday night with Sydney Langdon suffering the loss on 3.2 innings pitched allowing three runs earned and four total. Jaden Vickers threw 1.2 innings allowing six runs and Alexia Lacatena pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to close out the game.
Alabama outhit Kentucky 11-6 in the game, as Kentucky’s six hits came from five different players as Erin Coffel was the only player to log a multi-hit game for the Wildcats.
Kentucky falls to 22-12 on the season and is now 1-7 in Southeastern Conference play. Alabama ups its mark to 26-7 with Friday night’s win and sits 3-5 in the SEC through eight games. Sunday’s rubber match will be the first of the season for each team in its first three SEC games. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
Key Play
Jenna Johnson’s three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning was the key play in Friday’s game.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player was Alexia Lacatena, who pitched the final 1.2 innings of the game allowing just two hits and the only UK pitcher to not allow a run who pitched in the game.
Key Stat
- Kentucky had three extra-base hits, the most its had in an SEC game this season.
Run Recap
Alabama scored twice in the top of the third on a passed ball and a foulout that turned into a sacrifice fly. ALA 2, UK 0
The Tide added to its lead in the top of the third on a solo home run by Marlie Giles. ALA 3, UK 0
The fourth run to make things 4-0 Alabama was scored via an RBI double by Kenleigh Cahalan. ALA 4, UK 0
Erin Coffel hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. ALA 4, UK 3
In the top of the sixth, Alabama got a three-run bomb from Jenna Johnson and a two-RBI single from Lauren Johnson to push the game out of reach. ALA 9, UK 3
Kentucky’s last run came on a sac fly off the bat of Karissa Hamilton in the bottom of the sixth. The Wildcats put two on with no outs in the seventh, but failed to score. FINAL – Alabama 9, Kentucky 4
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