Seventh Inning Grand Slam Catapults Texas Past Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Softball team celebrated Senior Day on Saturday at John Cropp Stadium as Sarah Haendiges got the start, pitching a masterful first six innings and holding the nation’s best offense in No. 4 Texas down to just one run before a seventh-inning grand slam by All-American Katie Stewart broke the seal and lifted the Longhorns to a 6-1 win.
The Wildcats defense let them down in the top of the first as a ball got to the wall on an error and allowed Texas to jump in front 1-0 early on. The Wildcats responded with a lead-off HR by Carly Sleeman to tie the game at 1-1, where the score would hold until the seventh inning.
Kentucky is now a game under .500 on the season at 26-27 and sits 1-22 in SEC play, having lost 22-straight SEC contests. Texas improves to 37-8 overall and remains in the top four on the SEC with a 14-6 league record.
Game three of the series and the final regular season game for Kentucky will be Sunday at 1 p.m. ET against the Horns. The game will be shown on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Run Recap
Texas took advantage of a Kentucky error to score with two outs in the top of the first inning. TEX 1, UK 0
Carly Sleeman led off the bottom of the first inning with her team-leading 14th home run of the season to center field. UK 1, UT 1
Three-straight singles in the top of the seventh led to a grand slam by Katie Stewart to break open the game and push things in favor of the Horns. Texas added an insurance run and brough in ace Teagan Kavan to throw the final five outs to close out the game. FINAL – Texas 6, Kentucky 1
Key Player
Sarah Haendiges was the key player, throwing 6.2 inning with three walks and three strikeouts.
Key Moment
Katie Stewart’s grand slam was the key play in the game.
Key Stat
- UK honored its four seniors prior to the game.
Pitching Recap
Haendiges threw 6.2 innings with Abby Hammond throwing the final out in the seventh.
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