LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 14 Kentucky kicked off the 2023 John Cropp Classic in style, earning a five-inning, walk-off win over the DePaul Blue Demons, 11-3. With the win, Kentucky now moves to 14-1 all time in their home tournament.
Kentucky took advantage of its speed, scoring 11 runs on 13 hits and forcing six DePaul errors. Kayla Kowalik, Vanessa Nesby, Rylea Smith, and Margaret Tobias all turned in multi-hit performances. Smith was 3-3 on the day, while Nesby also carded a three-hit performance. Nesby, Smith, and Grace Lorsung all recorded 2 RBI on the day. The Wildcats scored at least two runs in four of the five innings in which they batted, including a massive, five-run explosion in the fourth inning.
Sophomore Alexia Lacatena earned the win in the circle, improving her record on the year to 7-1. After two scoreless innings from starter Izzy Harrison, the Stanhope, New Jersey native pitched the final three innings of the game, allowing three runs, two earned, on four DePaul hits. Lacatena struck out four Blue Demons without giving up a walk.
The Wildcats are now 18-5-1, 3-0 (SEC), recording their seventh-straight win in the process. The seven-game win streak ties the longest of the season. DePaul falls to 8-12, 0-3 (Big East). The John Cropp Classic concludes on Sunday, with Kentucky scheduled for a doubleheader against Longwood and Michigan.
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Nesby’s Big Day Steers No. 14 Kentucky Past DePaul in Five – UK Athletics​
Kentucky took advantage of its speed, scoring 11 runs on 13 hits and forcing six DePaul errors. Kayla Kowalik, Vanessa Nesby, Rylea Smith, and Margaret Tobias all turned in multi-hit performances. Smith was 3-3 on the day, while Nesby also carded a three-hit performance. Nesby, Smith, and Grace Lorsung all recorded 2 RBI on the day. The Wildcats scored at least two runs in four of the five innings in which they batted, including a massive, five-run explosion in the fourth inning.
Sophomore Alexia Lacatena earned the win in the circle, improving her record on the year to 7-1. After two scoreless innings from starter Izzy Harrison, the Stanhope, New Jersey native pitched the final three innings of the game, allowing three runs, two earned, on four DePaul hits. Lacatena struck out four Blue Demons without giving up a walk.
The Wildcats are now 18-5-1, 3-0 (SEC), recording their seventh-straight win in the process. The seven-game win streak ties the longest of the season. DePaul falls to 8-12, 0-3 (Big East). The John Cropp Classic concludes on Sunday, with Kentucky scheduled for a doubleheader against Longwood and Michigan.
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Nesby’s Big Day Steers No. 14 Kentucky Past DePaul in Five – UK Athletics​
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