The Kentucky softball team increased its eight-game winning streak entering the weekend with an 8-0 run-rule victory at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs Friday evening and a comeback 9-8 win Saturday afternoon.

Things got going early for the Cats Friday. In the bottom of the first inning with two outs, first baseman Mallory Peyton hit an RBI single. Shortstop Katie Reed followed that up with a three-run home run to left-center field, making the score 4-0 with the Cats in the lead. 

UK tacked on another four-run inning just two innings later– outfielder Kayla Kowalik came home via a fielding error. Reed stepped up once more and smacked another three-run home run to center field to increase the lead 8-0.

Cats’ pitcher Autumn Humes improved her record to 6-4 with her second consecutive win and also pitched her second consecutive complete game, allowing only four hits and garnering four strikeouts. 

Reed’s six RBIs on Friday tied her with five other players for the most RBIs in a game by a Wildcat. Friday’s victory gives the Cats nine rule-run victories this year. The Cats are 15-4 this season when they score first. 

The story wasn’t quite the same for the Cats less than 24 hours later. 

Mississippi State did what the Cats did the day before and drew first blood. Designated player Fa Leilua hit an RBI double in the top of the first inning to make it 1-0 Bulldogs. 

Things worsened for the Cats in the top of the third inning. With two outs, outfielder Carter Spexarth hit a grand slam off Cats pitcher Grace Baalman to make it 5-0. Third baseman Mia Davidson, who leads the nation in home runs, hit a solo home run immediately afterwards.

Down but not out, the Cats found their groove that same inning. Second baseman Alex Martens hit a two-RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-2. An inning later, Kelsee Henson came in to pinch hit. She hit a solo home run to make it 6-3. 

The Bulldogs immediately responded in the fifth inning as Leilua hit a two-run home run to make it 8-3 Bulldogs. Setting the tone for a comeback, the Cats would come right back that same inning.

Third baseman Abbey Cheek gave the Cats a much-needed boost. Cheek hit a three-run home run that same inning to cut the deficit to 8-6. She now has 47 home runs in her career and is one short of tying Brittany Cervantes for the most in team history. 

Momentum became an even closer friend to the Cats in the sixth inning. Catcher Jenny Schaper scored on a throwing error and Kowalik hit an RBI triple to tie the game up. Cheek hit a groundout RBI for the go-ahead score to make it 9-8 Cats. 

Pitcher Meghan Schorman replaced Baalman in the fourth inning and claimed the victory with three strikeouts and three earned runs. 

The Cats are undefeated at home and in SEC play at 5-0 and will have a chance to finish the sweep tomorrow at noon. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.