After winning its weekend home series against No. 18 Missouri, No. 11 UK Softball headed to Bowling Green to face Western Kentucky University for its fourth in-state matchup of the season.

After a long three innings with neither team on the board, the Cats prevailed with a five-run rally in the fourth inning to beat WKU.

Both teams were facing difficulties hitting the ball during the first three innings, until Maisie Steed and Abbey Cheek both got singles to put runners on first and second with no outs.

With two runners on base, Brooklin Hinz stepped up to the plate to get a hit straight up the middle, which allowed Steed to cross home plate.

After UK gained a 1-0 lead over the Hilltoppers, the defense made an error trying to get Cheek out at home plate. The throw went wide right as they were trying to throw Cheek out, and it ended up allowing Hinz to cross home plate, extending the Cats’ lead to 3-0.

The rally continued when freshman catcher Jenny Schaper stepped up to the plate.

With a runner on base, Schaper launched a two-run homerun — her 2nd homerun in her last four games.

As UK returned to defense in the fourth inning and with a 5-0 lead, junior pitcher Meagan Prince took care of the rest.

Prince continued to take care of business after the offensive rally in the fourth inning by allowing only one hit the entire game for WKU.

With her stellar performance on the mound, Prince recorded her fifth complete-game shutout this season with 12 strikeouts in seven innings, just three off her career high.

The Cats won their second game in a row, making them 38-9 this season, and 13-5 in conference play.

UK continues its SEC showdown by traveling to Rhoades Stadium to take on No. 4 Alabama at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Cats will then resume their rivalry with in-state foe Louisiville on Wednesday, after the first meeting was canceled due to inclement weather.