No. 23 Kentucky softball (27-15, 5-10 SEC) scored 12 unanswered runs en route to a 12-3 defeat of Western Kentucky (25-16-1, 10-5 CUSA) at the WKU Softball Complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 18.

The win marked a perfect finale of Kentucky’s midweek games this season, as the game only needed five innings before ending by run rule.

The night got off to a shaky start for the Cats as the Hilltoppers jumped to a 3-0 lead after two innings.

After WKU scored its second run with one out in the first inning, Kentucky starting pitcher Jaden Vickers was replaced with ace Stephanie Schoonover, who struck out consecutive batters to end the inning.

The top of the third is when Kentucky’s bats began to light up, beginning with a two-run single by junior Taylor Ebbs that scored senior Erin Coffel and freshman Delani Sullivan, who was pinch running for sophomore Lauryn Borzilleri.

Later in the inning, senior Grace Lorsung brought in two more runs with a double that scored freshmen Ally Hutchins and Emory Donaldson, the latter of whom was pinch running for Ebbs.

Ebbs had another big moment in the top of the fourth, hitting a three-run home run on the first pitch of the at-bat, and Lorsung also hit a two-run homer in the inning to put the Cats ahead 9-3.

In the top of the fifth inning, fifth-year Rylea Smith hit a pop-up that led to a throwing error, allowing junior Hallie Mitchell to reach home. A similar play two batters later brought in Borzilleri on an error on a pop-up play by Ebbs.

The final run of the game was driven in on a single by senior Vanessa Nesby.

Schoonover picked up her 17th win of the season and struck out nine while only allowing three hits and two walks.

Kentucky will travel south for a three-game weekend series against Auburn beginning on Saturday, April 20-22, at Jane B. Moore Field in Auburn, Alabama. The first game will begin at 4 p.m. EST and will be televised on SEC Network.