Hutchins Hammers Fifth Home Run Friday Night in 8-3 Defeat
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 3 Tennessee Lady Vols used a middle-innings comeback for the second-straight night Friday to beat No. 24 Kentucky, 8-3. With the win, Tennessee clinches at least a share of the 2024 Southeastern Conference regular season championship.
Kentucky took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning thanks to Ally Hutchins’ fifth home run of the season with two outs in the inning thanks to a laser beam over the pole in left field as UK took the lead for the second night in a row. Tennessee then responded with a two-out rally in the bottom of the third to score twice and a three-run home run by All-American Kiki Milloy put distance between UT and UK with Tennessee taking the 5-3 lead.
With the win, Tennessee secures the series win, as the three-game set will conclude Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. ET from Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville. The game will be broadcasted live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app, as it will mark the end of the regular season for both teams.
Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens picked up the win in the circle Friday night, pitching the final four innings of the game without allowing a hit and only one baserunner. Kentucky’s Jaden Vickers was tagged with the loss after getting through three innings.
Key Play
Kiki Milloy’s three-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fourth inning was the key play in the game. Tennessee went from trailing 3-2 to leading 5-3 on the first-pitch bomb.
Key Player
Kentucky’s key player was freshman Ally Hutchins, who hit her fifth home run of the season to left field to give Kentucky the 3-0 lead.
Key Stat
16. Freshman Camryn Lookadoo got her first SEC playing time at second base in Friday night’s game, where she turned a double play in addition to another putout.
Run Recap
After a singe and a double in the inning, Ally Hutchins stepped to the plate with two outs and delivered a three-run home run to left field over the pole to give the Wildcats the three-run advantage. UK 3, UT 0
In the bottom of the third, Tennessee used two RBI hits in the frame to score twice and pull within a run through three innings. UK 3, UT 2
In the bottom of the fourth, Tennessee took its first lead of the game with a three-run homer by Kiki Milloy and later a walk forced in a run. UT 6, UK 2
The Lady Vols hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth. FINAL – Tennessee 8, Kentucky 3
NEW for 2024 – The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.
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