Hamilton Hits Two Homers in 8-7 Extra-Inning Loss to Louisville
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Softball team dropped an 8-7 decision in nine innings Wednesday night at John Cropp Stadium.
Kentucky had its strongest output as the Wildcats threw up seven runs in 11 hits in the game, with seven players recording a hit in the Kentucky lineup and three players, Allie Blum, Carly Sleeman and Karissa Hamilton, each etching two hits in the contest.
Louisville entered the top of the seventh trailing 6-3, but the first four Cardinals reached in the inning on back-to-back singles, an RBI triple and a single through the left side. Kentucky was unable to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh after getting two on with no outs and neither team mounted a threat in the eighth.
The Cardinals, who picked up their first win at John Cropp Stadium since 2015, scored twice on an RBI double down the left-field line in the top of the ninth hung on to win after UK only scored once in the bottom of the ninth.
The UK is now 21-13 on the year as Louisville improves to 26-7 with Wednesday night’s result. The Wildcats will host a three-game SEC series Friday night at 6:30 p.m. ET against the No. 11 Georgia Bulldogs, with the game live on SEC Network. Tickets are available at UKathletics.com/tickets.
Run Recap
Maddy Clark hit her first HR of the season in the bottom of the first inning to hand Kentucky a 2-0 lead. UK 2, UL 0
Louisville hit a two-run homer in the top of the second to tie the game. UK 2, UL 2
In the top of the third, UofL took the lead off a UK error. UL 3, UK 2
Karissa Hamilton hit the first of her two home runs in the bottom of the third as Kentucky re-took the lead. UK 4, UL 3
Carly Sleeman hit a sac fly to deep left in the bottom of the fourth and Alexa Riddel hit her first-career home run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Kentucky carried a three-run lead to the seventh. UK 6, UL 3
In the top of the seventh inning, Bri Despines hit a triple for Louisville for two runs with Camryn Lookadoo shortly after to hit center field to tie the game at 6. UK 6, UofL 6
In the top of the ninth inning, Louisvill hit a two-run double down the left-field line. UL 8, UK 6
Karissa Hamilton hit a solo HR with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but that was all the scoring UK could manage. FINAL – Louisville 8, Kentucky 7
Key Player
Karissa Hamilton was the key player in Wednesday night’s game as she hit two home runs, giving Kentucky a chance to win in the ninth inning.
Key Moment
Still tied 6-6 after the eighth inning, Louisville started the top of the ninth with two singles and then an RBI double, giving the Cardinals the lead by two runs.
Key Stat
- This was Kentucky second extra-inning game this season.
Pitching Recap
McKenzie Oslanzi pitched 2.1 innings with three runs on five hits and one strikeout on 58 pitches. Sarah Haendiges pitched 3.2 innings in the circle for the Wildcats with three runs on three hits and three strikeouts on 64 pitches. Kentucky turned to Abby Hammond late in the game who went the final 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three strikeouts on 50 pitches.
For the latest on UK Softball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSoftball.
