Kentucky Tops San Diego State, 5-0

Photo courtesy of UK Athletics

After an 0-2 start to the season, the Kentucky softball team has bounced back to win their last two games, the most recent a 5-0 win vs. San Diego State Thursday night.

Freshman pitcher Grace Baalman picked up her first win in her first career start on Thursday, throwing a complete-game shutout. Baalman gave up no runs, scattered six hits and struck out seven while only walking three Aztecs. She is the first UK player since Katie Henderson in 2013 to throw a complete game shutout in her first start.

Bailey Vick, who went 4-for-4 at the plate with four infield singles, led the Wildcats offense. It was the first four hit game of her career and she is the first player do record four hits in a game since Christain Stokes had five vs. Long Beach State in 2015.

The Wildcats got the bats going in the fourth inning after a lead-off single by Katie Reed and a HBP to Jenny Schaper. With two on and nobody out, Rachael Metzger worked a walk to load the bases and Reed came home to score on an error during Brooklin Hinz’ at bat. Lauren Johnson broke the game open with a two run double and Vick followed with an RBI single to give the Wildcats a 4-0 lead.

The Wildcats added one more run on a single by Erin Rethlake in the sixth inning, setting the final score at Kentucky 5, San Diego State 0.

Offensive Leaders