AUBURN, Ala. – The Kentucky Softball team used a five-run top of the first inning to power past Auburn on Southeastern Conference opening night Friday, hanging on for an 8-3 road victory over the Tigers.
Kentucky bookended the game with a five-run first and a three-run seventh inning to compose the eight runs scored by the Wildcats. Four runs came via the home run and four came from run-batted in situations.
With the win, Kentucky snaps a two-season, 16-game road losing streak in the Southeastern Conference as UK is off to a 1-0 start in SEC play for the second-straight season. UK is now 19-4 on the season as the Auburn Tigers fall to 17-7 through the opening 24 games of its year.
Sarah Haendiges got the start for UK throwing the opening four innings allowing only two earned runs. Freshman Hailey Nutter then followed with a three-inning effort in relief, surrendering only two baserunners and not giving up a hit in her three innings of work and striking out four Tiger batters.
The three-game series will be concluded on Saturday with a doubleheader to try and avoid weather moving into Auburn on Sunday. The first game of the doubleheader Saturday will start at 2 p.m. ET and the second game will start 30 minutes after. Both games will air live on SEC Network+.
Hot Start Propels Kentucky to SEC Opening Win over Auburn – UK Athletics
Kentucky bookended the game with a five-run first and a three-run seventh inning to compose the eight runs scored by the Wildcats. Four runs came via the home run and four came from run-batted in situations.
With the win, Kentucky snaps a two-season, 16-game road losing streak in the Southeastern Conference as UK is off to a 1-0 start in SEC play for the second-straight season. UK is now 19-4 on the season as the Auburn Tigers fall to 17-7 through the opening 24 games of its year.
Sarah Haendiges got the start for UK throwing the opening four innings allowing only two earned runs. Freshman Hailey Nutter then followed with a three-inning effort in relief, surrendering only two baserunners and not giving up a hit in her three innings of work and striking out four Tiger batters.
The three-game series will be concluded on Saturday with a doubleheader to try and avoid weather moving into Auburn on Sunday. The first game of the doubleheader Saturday will start at 2 p.m. ET and the second game will start 30 minutes after. Both games will air live on SEC Network+.
Hot Start Propels Kentucky to SEC Opening Win over Auburn – UK Athletics