Emory Donaldson Ignites Five-Run Seventh as Kentucky Beats UofL
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Having never led in the game until the top of the seventh, sophomore infielder Emory Donaldson stepped to the plate and the Louisvillian delivered a bases-clearing three-RBI triple into left-center field to put the game on ice as Kentucky won its in-state battle with Louisville 8-3 on Wednesday night at Ulmer Stadium.
Kentucky trailed the entire game until a bases-loaded walk to Peyton Plotts tied the game in the top of the fifth inning as UK put up a two spot in the inning to make things 3-3 in the fifth. After neither team scored in the sixth and went three-up, three-down, Kentucky batted around in the seventh and scored five runs in the inning to win the game, 8-3 and snap a four-game losing streak.
Carson Fall started the game for Kentucky and then Sarah Haendiges came on in relief to earn the win for the Wildcats, as she pitched the final six innings of the game, allowing only one run on three hits with six strikeouts. The win for Haendiges is her team-leading eighth of the season as she threw 92 total pitches on the night with 56 recorded as strikes.
Donaldson was the only player for Kentucky to log two hits in the game, as UK had eight hits as a team with seven different players recording a base knock in the game and Donaldson’s triple coming as the only extra-base hit of the night for the Wildcats.
With Wednesday night’s win, Kentucky collects its 22nd win of the season to move to 22-15, seven games over the .500 mark. Louisville falls to 20-16 with the loss.
Kentucky will play Auburn in a three-game Southeastern Conference series beginning Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET. There is significant weather moving into the Lexington area, so fans are asked to check UKathletics.com for the most updated information.
Key Play
Donaldson’s three-run triple in the top of the seventh was the key play in the game. It was the Louisville, Kentucky native’s second triple of the season, as she also had one on opening day.
Key Player
Ally Hutchins was the key player in the game as she went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a bunt base hit to lead off the rally in the top of the seventh, which led to the game-winning run.
Super Stat
- Kentucky’s offense was issued nine walks in the game, a season high for its offense.
Run Recap
Louisville scored a run on an RBI single and an error in the bottom of the first inning to give the Cards the early lead. UL 2, UK 0
In the top of the second inning, Peyton Plotts scored on a ground ball to the right side off the bat of Karissa Hamilton. UL 2, UK 1
Louisville hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, its only run of the game off of Sarah Haendiges all night. UL 3, UK 1
In the top of the fifth, Kentucky scored twice on a bases-loaded walk to Allie Blum and a walk to Peyton Plotts to tie the game. UK 3, UL 3
After Ally Hutchins and Allie Blum led off the seventh with bunt singles, Lauryn Borzilleri bunted both into scoring position for the first out of the inning. Peyton Plotts was walked and Hallie Mitchell was hit by a pitch to force in the go-ahead run. Maddy Clark singled into center to move everyone up a base and score UK’s fifth run before Emory Donaldson hammered a pitch over the left fielder’s head to push across all three runs on a triple. FINAL – Kentucky 8, Louisville 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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