Bump’s Stellar Day & Reasner’s Home Run Hands Kentucky SEC Win
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 23 Kentucky Softball team opened Southeastern Conference play with a 6-4 win Friday night at John Cropp Stadium thanks to a 3-for-3 night from McKenzie Bump and a three-run go-ahead home run by sophomore shortstop Cassie Reasner in the bottom of the third inning.
The Wildcats fell behind twice to open the game, as Mizzou took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second and a 2-1 lead in the top of the third inning before Reasner’s homer gave the Wildcats the lead for good the rest of the game with Lauryn Borzilleri and Ally Hutchins playing add-on in the fourth and sixth inning to lock down the SEC opener for both teams.
Kentucky had two different players with three hits in the game as Borzilleri and Bump both went 2-for-3 in the game, marking the first time since UK’s historic 2016 season that the Wildcats had two three-hit performers at the plate in an SEC opener. Alexia Lacatena got the win in the circle, throwing the opening 4.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs on no walks and a strikeout. Lacatena collected her fifth win of the season in the circle Friday night to move her record to 5-1.
Sarah Haendiges pitched the final 2.1 innings of the game, only allowing one hit, striking out three batters and throwing a zero up on the scoreboard in the Tigers sixth and seventh innings to hand the Wildcats the win.
With the win Friday night, Kentucky is now 1-0 in SEC play and improves to 15-6 overall on the young season. The Tigers drop to an even .500 on the season and sit 0-1 in league play. The series between UK and Mizzou continues Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network+ with Dave Baker and Carol Bruggeman on the call from John Cropp Stadium. A UK Softball flag giveaway will take place before the game to fans in attendance while supplies last.
Key Play
With the game sitting at 2-1 in favor of Mizzou in the bottom of the third inning, Cassie Reasner hit her first-career home run at John Cropp Stadium and fourth of the season to left center to score three and put Kentucky ahead of the Tigers, 4-2.
Key Player
McKenzie Bump was the key player in the game going 3-for-3 at the plate with three singles, an RBI and two runs scored.
Super Stat
Kentucky had two different players with three hits in the game as Borzilleri and Bump both went 2-for-3 in the game, marking the first time since UK’s historic 2016 season that the Wildcats had two three-hit performers at the plate in an SEC opener.
Run Recap
A lead-off hit batsman scored on a triple for Mizzou in the top of the second. MIZ 1, UK 0
After Hallie Mitchell led off the bottom of the second with a double to right center, McKenzie Bump singled to score Mitchell and tie the game. UK 1, MIZ 1
In the top of the third, Mizzou hit a solo home run with one out to re-take the lead. MIZ 2, UK 1
Cassie Reasner hit her fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot, to respond in the bottom of the third inning as UK took the lead. UK 4, MIZ 2
Lauryn Borzilleri hit an RBI double to right field to score Bump after a bunt single to give Kentucky a three-run cushion in the bottom of the fourth. UK 5, MIZ 2
Missouri scored on an RBI double and pair of passed balls in the top of the fifth to pull within a run. UK 5, MIZ 4
Kentucky added insurance in the top of the sixth as Bump scored thanks to a bases-loaded walk to Ally Hutchins and one out. FINAL – Kentucky 6, Missouri 4
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.
