3 Things to Know From UK Softball’s Weekend in California

The no. 22 ranked Hittin’ Kittens competed in the Mary Nutter Classic this weekend in Cathedral City, California. The Kittens got a 4-1 victory over UC-Davis on Friday and later lost a heartbreaker that same day to Oregon 5-4. Saturday’s title with Cal State Northridge was canceled due to inclement weather.

Below are need to know facts from UK’s trip to the former Bear Flag Republic.

Erin Rethlake Got Her First Win of the Year

The junior lefty from Indiana got the starting nod versus UC-Davis. In four innings of work against the Aggies, Rethlake pitched like clockwork and kept them from building up any significant momentum. She did not allow any runs, gave up only three hits, struck out two, and walked only one. The only blotch on an otherwise solid day on the mound for Rethlake is the fact that she beaned two Aggies.

The Ducks Dodged UK Late

In game two on Friday, Kentucky looked to be sitting pretty against the no. 7 Oregon Ducks through five innings. With the game tied at one all, Katie Reed singled and broke the deadlock. A batter later, Alex Martens clubbed a two-RBI single to extend UK’s newfound lead to 4-1. In the top of the 6th inning with one out, Oregon loaded the bases. A harmless single up the left-hand side turned into a live grenade thanks to two UK throwing errors on the play, and with that, the game was again deadlocked, this time at 4. The next inning Oregon went ahead for good thanks to a dinger to center field, and like that the Wildcats dropped their second game of the week to a top ten opponent.

The Kittens Finally Started Hittin’

Kentucky knocked in eight total runs against the Aggies and the Ducks on Friday after struggling to score for much of the season. Against UC-Davis five different Wildcats got a hit and four recorded an RBI. The total dropped to four against Oregon, but Katie Reed and Jenny Schaper each recorded a multi-hit game. Freshman Alex Martens recorded a clutch two RBI single against Oregon.