Ebbs’ Big Night Carries Kentucky to Win Over No. 7 Georgia
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thanks to a 3-for-4 night at the dish from junior Taylor Ebbs and a winning effort in the circle from Stephanie Schoonover, the Kentucky Softball team picked up its third top-10 win of the season Friday night in a 7-5 victory over No. 7 Georgia at John Cropp Stadium.
Taylor Ebbs went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in and a three-run home run as the Kentucky offense touched the Georgia pitchers for seven runs on nine hits Friday night. The top third of Kentucky’s order collected six hits, including two from senior Rylea Smith and a solo HR in the sixth inning off the bat of Erin Coffel.
In the circle, Stephanie Schoonover won her second-straight Southeastern Conference game, throwing a complete game with five runs allowed on five hits and five strikeouts. The senior from Vicksburg, Mississippi logged 153 pitches Friday night with 81 recorded as strikes.
Game two of the series will be Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET with broadcast coverage on SEC Network+ with Dave Baker and Lauren Lengel on the call from John Cropp Stadium. Saturday across the SEC is “All For Alex” Day with all 13 teams wearing teal to celebrate the life of former Mississippi State player Alex Wilcox and support the fight against ovarian cancer.
With Friday night’s win, Kentucky is 25-14 overall and now sits 4-9 in SEC play. Georgia falls to 32-9 and is 7-6 in the SEC.
Key Play
Taylor Ebbs’ three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning to balloon the lead to 6-0 Wildcats was the key play in the game, as Ebbs came in clutch with two outs.
Key Player
The key player in Friday night’s win was also Taylor Ebbs, as she went 3-for-4 with four RBI, a home run and two extra-base hits.
Key Stat
3. This marked Kentucky’s third top-10 win of the season.
Run Recap
Taylor Ebbs roped an RBI double to left center in the bottom of the first inning and Peyton Plotts stepped up and delivered an RBI single to give Kentucky the opening two runs of the game. UK 2, UGA 0
In the bottom of the second inning, a Rylea Smith groundout pushed UK’s lead to 3-0 before a three-run blast by Taylor Ebbs gave Kentucky a six-run cushion. UK 6, UGA 0
Georgia put up two runs in the top of the third on a two-out, two-RBI double. UK 6, UGA 2
In the top of the sixth, Georgia scored twice on another two-run double. UK 6, UGA 4
Erin Coffel hit a solo HR over the videoboard in the bottom of the sixth inning. UK 7, UGA 4
Georgia scored a run on an RBI double with two outs in the top of the seventh, but a flyout to third ended the game. FINAL – Kentucky 7, Georgia 4
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.
