Missed Chances Spoil Brilliant Start from Oslanzi in 7-1 Loss
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Stanford Cardinal used a three-run fifth inning and two-run sixth inning against the Kentucky Softball bullpen Friday night to pull away from UK and take a 7-1 game at San Jose State University’s Softball Complex.
Kentucky starting pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi was brilliant in the game Friday, going 4.0 innings allowing only two runs, one earned on only four hits with two walks and a strikeout. Oslanzi was the tough-luck loser in the game Friday as she left the game only trailing by a 2-1 margin before the Cardinal scored five runs in the next to innings to crack open the game and square the season series at one game each.
The Wildcats will close out the Cardinal Classic I on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET against No. 16 Oregon. Due to the ongoing facility clearance issues at Stanford’s new softball facility, the game will be played at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif., the same location as yesterday’s games vs. CSF and Stanford. The games will stream live on YouTube for free.
Kentucky is now 6-3 on the season and Stanford improves to 6-1 with the result Friday, with the Cardinal’s lone loss coming Thursday against Kentucky.
Run Recap
Stanford hit a lead-off solo home run to right field in the bottom of the first inning. STAN 1, UK 0
Kentucky scored its lone run of the game thanks to Ella Emmert beating out an infield single with two outs to score Carly Sleeman from third and square the game. UK 1, STAN 1
In the bottom of the third, the Cardinal got a lead-off triple and scored on a one-out sac fly. STAN 2, UK 1
Stanford scored three times in the bottom of the fifth inning as a sac fly to deep center and an inside-the-park home run brought across three runs. STAN 5, UK 1
Stanford scored twice more in the sixth to make the deficit six runs. FINAL – Stanford 7, Kentucky 1
Key Player
Carly Sleeman was the key player in the game for Kentucky, going 2-for-3 at the plate with one run scored and a double.
Key Moment
The inside-the-park home run for Stanford in the bottom of the fifth was the key play in the game, as Stanford made its lead balloon from 3-1 to 5-1 and a four-run cushion.
Key Stat
6. In the first four innings, Kentucky left six runners on base in scoring position. UK left nine runners on in the game.
Pitching Recap
McKenzie Oslanzi got the start and only allowed one earned run in the opening four innings. Carson Fall pitched the fifth inning, allowing three runs and freshman Abby Hammond made her collegiate pitching debut with two runs allowed on one hit in one inning of work. Oslanzi recorded the only strikeout of the day for Kentucky pitching.
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