Kentucky (18-4) came out victorious against Michigan State (10-9) in its third game of the John Cropp Classic.
Consistent pitching, effective communication and creative defensive plays fueled the complete team effort given by the Cats to secure the win against the Spartans.
Kentucky opened the game confidently as it held Michigan State scoreless in the top of the first inning.
The bottom of the first inning opened with Peyton Plotts finding an easy way to first base after getting walked by Michigan State pitcher Alex Starr. Kentucky’s Karissa Hamilton fed right into that with a double to left field, sending teammate Allie Blum home.
The Wildcats’ steady pressure held Michigan State to no hits, no runs, no errors and no runners left on base in back-to-back innings.
A quiet bottom of the second inning for the Cats quickly changed in the third inning. After Plotts’ ball soared over the center field wall, she jumped on home plate, pushing the score to 3-0 as Blum rounded home.
Kentucky continued to build momentum throughout the inning. Carly Sleeman added an RBI-single that brought Hamilton home. Additionally, Maddy Clark was walked with bases loaded, forcing Emory Donaldson to second, Alexa Riddel to third and Abby Hammond home.
Although things weren’t looking promising for Michigan State, the Spartans did not let up and continued to place pressure on the Cats. Both teams continued to go back-and-forth.
After another scoreless inning, Kentucky led 5-0 entering the fifth inning. Clark’s single to shortstop forced a Spartan error, giving Riddel the opportunity to score.
It wasn’t until the top of the sixth inning when Michigan State finally put a tally on the board off a base hit from Kendall Smiley, which simultaneously sent Payton Conroy home.
After a great effort by the Spartans, it still wasn’t enough to keep them going. Michigan State held Kentucky scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Wildcats shut down the Spartans in the seventh to secure the win.
The Wildcats came out on top 6-1.
