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After UK softball’s midweek rivalry game against the Louisville Cardinals got cancelled on Wednesday night with inclement weather in the area, the Cats came into Saturday afternoon’s battle against No. 8 LSU well rested.

The series opener was flexed to ESPN on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET for the nation to see the highly anticipated top 15 matchup in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it certainly lived up to expectations.

LSU’s Carley Hoover dominated at the mound through the first six innings, giving up no hits, no runs, three walks, all while striking out ten UK batters. The Cats couldn’t get anything going at the plate, and at that point in the game, it looked as if a no-hitter was imminent.

Six and two-thirds innings through the game, however, the Tiger pitcher’s dreams of a no-hitter were ruined in the hands of senior outfielder Sylver Samuel with an RBI single to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. This would be the only score needed to give UK their 32^nd victory of the season.

Outside of Samuel’s late game heroics, senior pitcher Kelsey Nunley was certainly the most valuable player of the game, allowing just five hits, no runs, three walks, and striking out six batters in the complete game.

With the shutout victory, Nunley goes to 14-4 on the year, carrying an absurd 0.97 ERA, and proving herself as one of the top pitchers in the nation.

UK moves to 32-7 on the year, and is on pace to compete with the Florida Gators for the top spot in the SEC by the end of the season. With 14 games remaining in the regular season, it’s very possible UK softball can capture their best season in program history, hoping to surpass the 2014 WCWS participant Cats who went 50-19.

UK will continue their series against LSU on Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET.