Softball downs WKU
March 20, 2013
By Tyler Spanyer | @KyKernelSports
Coming off a rare losing sweep, the UK Softball team hit the diamond again Tuesday to face off with in-state rival Western Kentucky University. The Cats ended up winning, 7-1.
“It’s always good to beat an in-state team,” UK head coach Rachel Lawson said. “WKU is a good team, and they have some good wins against (Louisiana) Lafayette, and they just recently swept (Florida Atlantic University), so this is a good win for us.”
The Cats came out swinging, chasing WKU starting senior pitcher Mallorie Sulaski who is the reigning Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week. The Cats scored three runs in the bottom of the second forcing a pitching change early.
The bats went stagnant after that as UK went scoreless for two innings before lighting up the scoreboards again in the fifth. Adding four insurance runs after the Hilltoppers had closed the gap to 3-1 in the fourth.
Freshman Nikki Sagermann paced the Cats at the plate launching a deep solo-homerun to centerfield to get the scoring started before hitting an RBI single to continue the big fifth inning for UK.
“Nikki was recruited for her power,” Lawson said after the game, “So it’s nice to see her finally get a homerun.”
The Cats cruised to victory 7-1 and are looking ahead to their game tomorrow against Iowa.
“Iowa is really good team,” Lawson said, “They pitch really well and can hit for power throughout their lineup.”
When asked who she was thinking about starting tomorrow Lawson hinted towards freshman Katie Henderson, but would not commit one way or another.
If Henderson does start it would be her first appearance since throwing a no-hitter against North Carolina last week.
Wednesday game with Iowa is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the UK Softball Complex.
