Blum’s Three-Run HR Not Enough as No. 14 Arkansas Takes Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman outfielder Allie Blum hit a three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning Friday night with Kentucky down four, but it wasn’t enough as No. 14 Arkansas took a 4-0 lead held on to beat Kentucky 5-3 in the series opener at Bogle Park.
Arkansas scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to jet out to a 4-0 lead and then Alexia Lacatena entered the game to throw the final 6.2 innings of the game only allowing three hits and one run in the game as she kept the Wildcats in the contest. Blum’s home run came on a 2-2 pitch in the top of the fifth inning with two runners on, who reached via a single and a walk to cut the Arkansas lead to 4-3 before a run in the bottom of the fifth for the Razorbacks closed the scoring for the night.
Kentucky had traffic on the basepaths all night and did a good job of creating offense against the Razorbacks as the UK offense outhit Arkansas 7-6, but unfortunately the Wildcats had nine runners left on base with six of those in scoring position which ultimately did UK in.
Game two of the series will be Saturday at 5 p.m. ET from Fayetteville with the broadcast on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Kentucky falls to 21-13 with the loss and is now 5-5 in the Southeastern Conference this year. Arkansas now has won four of its last five SEC games and is 4-6 in the SEC with a 24-7 overall record.
Key Play
Allie Blum’s home run to left field over the wall and into the berm in the top of the fifth was the key play for the Wildcats
Key Player
The key player for Kentucky was Alexia Lacatena, who went 6.2 innings, only allowing one run to one of the nation’s best offenses.
Super Stat
- Kentucky left nine batters on base with six in scoring position.
Run Recap
Arkansas got two two-run doubles in the bottom of the first to score the opening four runs of the game. ARK 4, UK 0
Allie Blum hit a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to pull the Wildcats to within a run. ARK 4, UK 3
In the bottom of the fifth, Arkansas got a hard-hit sacrifice fly to right field to score their last run of the game. FINAL – Arkansas 5, Kentucky 3
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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