UK Softball Rallies for Late Win Over NKU

The No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats traveled to the concrete jungle of suburban Cincinnati to take on the Northern Kentucky Norse. In a tense, defensive minded affair, the Hitttin' Kitten came from behind to snare a late 2-1 victory, and with it, they improved their record to 23-6 on the year.

Neither team scored in the opening frame. The Norse broke the deadlock early in the 2nd inning after Zahrya McFarland drew a walk off of UK starter Larissa Spellman and later scored thanks to an Ava Lawson RBI single.

Spellman lasted 3.1 innings. She allowed the one run, gave up two hits and walked a batter.

Junior pitcher Erin Rethlake relived Spellman in the circle. In 2.1 innings of work, Rethlake struck out three Norse and did not allow a walk or run to continue her string of excellent outings.

With Rethlake holding the Norse down, Kentucky finally evened the score in the top of the 5th inning. Jenny Schaper got on base with a single and moved soon moved to third base thanks to a sacrifice. Sarah Rainwater joined in the giving mood and swatted a SAC fly to bring Schaper home.

Rainwater's heroics were not over, however. With pinch runner Brynlee Bigelow hugging second base after Rachael Metzger's double, Rainwater belted her second big smack of the day, this time a double, to bring the winning run home. Rainwater finished the day 1-of-2 at the plate.

Catcher Bailey Vick was the only Wildcat to finished with multiple hits. She went 2-of-3 on the day.

Megan Prince's one-hit 1.1 innings of relief turned out to be enough to earn her team-high tenth win of the season.

Kentucky next takes the field this Friday at 7:30 P.M. in Oxford, Mississippi against no. 24 Ole Miss. Friday's tilt will be the first of a three-game series.