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Eluding the cold weather to start the season, the No. 18 University of Kentucky Softball team defeated the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, 10-7 in the opening game of the Kajikawa Invitational. 

The fast paced action began in the top of the first, as Notre Dame scored two runs, aided by a pair of defensive errors to put runners on base. UK responded as it scored two as well in the bottom of the first.

Abbey Cheek came to the plate with the bases loaded and scored Maisie Steed on an error. Ansley Smith responded with a sac fly, scoring Katie Reed.

Both teams combined for one hit in the second inning and in the top of the third. Notre Dame also went down in order 1-2-3. 

UK exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third. Cheek led off with a double, then Smith was walked in five pitches and was followed by Brooklin Hinz who gave a 3-1 pitch a ride to left field for a home run to score three runs.

Reed was walked with the bases loaded, scoring Erin Rethlake. Nikki Sagermann was next at bat and drove in Sarah Rainwater from third. In the same play, Steed was cut down going for home. This would allow the Cats an 8-2 advantage through 3 full innings.

Notre Dame again added on two in the top of the fifth. The first three batters would reach base in the inning. From there, Caitlyn Brooks gave the Irish a double down the right field line would score two.

In the bottom of the frame, the Cats added two of their own as Sagermann scored Reed. Sagermann herself was drove in after Cheek hit a sac fly to center field.

The Fighting Irish would tack on three more runs in the seventh as Brooks launched a three-run homer. Brooks represented 4 of 5 RBI’s for Notre Dame.

From in the circle, Meagan Prince tossed 5 and two-thirds innings. She allowed six hits and four runs and two earned runs on 73 pitches. Shannon Smith would finish out the remaining inning and a third, allowing two hits and saw 3 runs score, all earned. She also dealt three walks and four strikeouts.