Wildcats score four times in seventh, rally falls one out short
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – April 6, 2024
Down 10-5 going into the top of the seventh inning, the Kentucky Softball team got back-to-back home runs by Grace Lorsung and Peyton Plotts to pull within three, and a two-run single by Rylea Smith made things a one-run game, but Smith was called out at second base to end the game on the third out of the inning as Texas A&M beat Kentucky 10-9 at Davis Diamond on Saturday afternoon.
Kentucky let the game seemingly slip away in the first two innings, as the Aggies tagged up the Wildcats for 10 runs scored through the first two innings, sending 20 batters to the plate through the opening two innings as six were charged to Jaden Vickers and four were charged to Sydney Langdon.
First baseman Lauryn Borzilleri had two home runs in the game Saturday, her first-career two-home run game with a two-run shot in the top of the second and a solo blast in top of the sixth to cut into the Texas A&M lead. Junior pitcher Alexia Lacatena threw 4.1 innings of shutout ball the rest of the way home, impressively allowing only two hits and striking out one as she kept the game within reach for Kentucky all afternoon.
With Saturday’s win, Texas A&M improves to 31-7 on the season and sits 10-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Kentucky with the loss falls to 23-14 and is now 2-9 in conference games. Game three of the series will be Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app.
Key Play
Lauryn Borzilleri’s two home runs were the key play in the game for Kentucky.
Key Player
Alexia Lacatena was the key player for Kentucky as she went 4.1 innings with only two hits allowed and did not allow a run.
Key Stat
9. The nine runs scored was the highest offensive output all season by the Kentucky offense in a conference game this season.
Run Recap
Peyton Plotts hit an RBI single into RF in the top of the first inning to score Erin Coffel from second who walked earlier in the frame. UK 1, TAMU 0
In the bottom of the first, Texas A&M scored five runs on a two-run double and a three-run home run. TAMU 5, UK 1
Lauryn Borzilleri scored two more for the Wildcats in the top of the second on a two-run homer. TAMU 5, UK 3
Texas A&M scored five times in the second inning off of five hits. TAMU 10, UK 3
The fourth Kentucky run was scored in the top of the fourth inning on an Erin Coffel RBI single up the middle to score pinch runner Hallie Mitchell. TAMU 10, UK 4
Kentucky got back-to-back HR’s in the seventh by Plotts and Grace Lorsung to cut the lead to three. With runners on second and third and two outs, Rylea Smith hit an Rbi single up the middle to score two and was thrown out at second base trying to take the extra base on the throw to end the game. FINAL – Texas A&M 10, Kentucky 9
NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.