Schoonover Spins Kentucky to SEC Series Win Over No. 7 Georgia
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Stephanie Schoonover threw her third-straight complete game win in the circle Sunday afternoon as Kentucky defeated No. 7 Georgia 6-2 inside a packed John Cropp Stadium to take the series over the Bulldogs.
Schoonover threw a complete game and only allowed two runs to the Southeastern Conference’s leading offense on nine hits and struck out nine batters in the contest. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native collected her team-leading 16th win of the year Sunday afternoon, logging yet another complete game in the circle. She threw 147 pitches Sunday with 90 recorded as strikes, limited herself to just two walks and faced 35 batters on the day.
Offensively, Taylor Ebbs and Rylea Smith led the way, as Smith went 4-for-4 on the afternoon with two runs scored, an RBI and an impressive six defensive putouts, including the opening out of the seventh inning. Taylor Ebbs went 2-for-3 on the day with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead and balloon it to a 4-0 advantage. Kentucky as a team had nine hits in the game and only committed one error.
With the win, Kentucky clinches a .500 record for the season, which guarantees its eligibility for selection into the 2024 NCAA Softball Championship. UK is now 26-15 on the year and sits 5-10 in Southeastern Conference play this season, having won two of its last three series. Georgia falls to 33-10 for the year and is 8-7 in the SEC through five series of action.
UK will play a midweek on Wednesday night at Western Kentucky University for an exciting intra-state matchup in Bowling Green. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Key Play
Lauryn Borzilleri’s solo shot in the bottom of the fifth inning was the key play, as it extended Kentucky’s lead to more than a grand slam as the final innings came into fruition.
Key Player
Rylea Smith was the key player in Sunday’s series finale as Smith went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a run batted in, as well.
Key Stat
2. Kentucky has now gone 2-for-2 in rubber matches this season, having also beaten Alabama in a Sunday finale over Easter weekend.
Run Recap
Taylor Ebbs had an RBI single in the bottom of the first and Ally Hutchins played add-on with a sacrifice fly to right field to give UK a two spot in the inning. UK 2, UGA 0
In the bottom of the second, Taylor Ebbs hit a two-run home run to score Rylea Smith, as well. UK 4, UGA 0
Lauryn Borzilleri led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo HR. UK 5, UGA 0
In the bottom of the fifth, Ally Hutchins led off the inning with a single through the right side and scored on Rylea Smith’s RBI single. UK 6, UGA 0
Georgia scored a run in the top of the sixth inning on a sac fly with the bases loaded and nobody out. Schoonover then pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh inning to close out the game and the series. FINAL – Kentucky 6, Georgia 2
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.
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