Riddel’s Clutch Double Lifts Kentucky Past Houston in Key Midweek
HOUSTON, Texas – Freshman outfielder Alexa Riddel clubbed a go-ahead, two-run double into the left-center gap in the top of the fourth inning as Kentucky went from trailing 2-1 to ahead 3-2 and the Wildcats would score the final six runs of the game to close out a 9-2 midweek win over Houston on Wednesday night.
Kentucky pitching stranded 10 runners on the bases Wednesday, as both Hailey Nutter, who started the game, and Sarah Haendiges, who finished off the final four innings, combined for seven strikeouts and only two earned runs against them in the game.
UK improves to 20-9 on the season with the win against the Cougars and snaps a season-long five-game losing streak with the result. Houston is now 17-15 on the year. The Wildcats will play at No. 16 Texas A&M over the weekend at Davis Diamond in College Station with game one beginning at 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
The Wildcats also played flawless defense as UK had no errors for the third-straight game and the sixth time in the last seven games.
Run Recap
Carly Sleeman hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning on the first pitch of the frame to give Kentucky the early lead. UK 1, UH 0
Houston took advantage of a two-out single up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the second to take its first lead of the game. UH 2, UK 1
In the top of the fourth, Alexa Riddel came through with a two-out, two-run double to score a pair for the Wildcats in the top of the fourth and then Ella Emmert found the green in right field to score Riddel on the next at bat as the Wildcats took a two-run lead. UK 4, UH 2
Kentucky then struck for five runs in the top of the seventh to ice away the game. Ella Emmert led off the inning with a double and got to third on a UH error. Maddy Clark then doubled to the wall down the left-field like and Peyton Plotts was walked to load the bases with no outs for Karissa Hamilton. Hamilton then delivered a grand slam to left field on a 1-0 offering and Kentucky would salt the game away in the bottom of the seventh. FINAL – Kentucky 9, Houston 2
Key Player
Ella Emmert was the key player in the game for the Wildcats. Emmert led off the seventh with a key double that crossed a key insurance run and also drove in Riddel in the top of the third. Emmert also was the captain for the seven-strikeout performance for UK pitching behind the dish.
Key Moment
Riddel’s two-run double in the top of the fourth to exchange the lead into Kentucky’s favor was the key moment of the contest.
Key Stat
- Kentucky pitching left 10 batters on base for the Cougars batters.
Pitching Recap
Hailey Nutter threw the first three innings and struck out three Cougar batters while allowing two runs. Sarah Haendiges allowed no runs in her four innings in the circle with four strikeouts and collecting her team-high eighth win of the season.
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