No. 11 UK’s highly anticipated battle of the bluegrass against rival UofL lived up to expectations, as the Cats found a way to fight back in the seventh inning to get their 40th win of the year.

UofL took an early 1-0 lead after Jordan McNary hit a triple into right field in the bottom of the second inning, scoring Brittany Sims on the play.

Despite seven batters reaching base through six innings, the Cats were unable to put a run on the board to cut UofL’s deficit.

After nearly an hour rain delay in the bottom of the sixth, the Cats held off loaded bases by the Cards, giving UK an opportunity to come back in the seventh inning.

Maisie Steed grounded out for the first out, but Katie Reed singled to left field to put the tying run on base. Sylver Samuel flied out to third, putting the Cats one out away from a loss.

UK refused to give up, as Nikki Sagermann reached first base on a fielder’s choice error, advancing Reed to second on the play.  Abbey Cheek stepped up to bat and shot a single to shortstop, scoring Reed on the play to tie the game at 1-1.

Brooklin Hinz stepped up to bat and singled up the middle, scoring Sagermann on the play to give the Cats a 2-1 lead.

Kelsey Nunley stepped up to the challenge in the bottom of the seventh and led the Cats to a three-up, three-down inning and the win.

UK dominated the hit category, maintaining 11 hits in seven innings compared to just four by the Cardinals. Cheek and Reed led the batters for the Cats, as each pulled in three hits at the plate. Cheek and Hinz both had RBIs as well.

With the win, Nunley moves to 19-5 on the season. The senior out of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, gave up only four hits and one run, along with seven strikeouts.

UK moves to 40-11 on the year with the win, and stays at 14-7 in league play. The Cats remain in third place in the SEC behind Florida and Auburn. UK’s victory moves the team one step closer towards a top four seed and a first round bye in the 2016 SEC Tournament held from May 11-14 in Starkville, Mississippi.

UK will now head home to John Cropp Stadium to compete against Mississippi State in the final series of the season starting on Friday at 6:00 p.m. ET.