EXCUSE ANY GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES IN THIS POST. I’M EXPERIENCING THE SHOCK THE WORLD JUST FELT!!!!

What a thriller for the Cats! Yes Nerlens was a thriller, but so was the softball game that just happened. It doesn’t get much better than extra innings and a 3-run walk off homer. That’s what happened tonight in UK’s 9-7 win over Arkansas in the first of two games this evening. This huge game for the Cats marks their 3rd win in a row, and builds upon the momentum that has been mounting in the last week. We can thank this happy ending to Erika Silence who connected in a big way to send the Cats into the second game victorious. Silence, a senior, hit for her second homer of the season as the Cats were down 7-6 in the bottom of the 8th inning. Her 3-run blast lifted the Cats past the Hogs and is probably what ultimately made Nerlens decide on Kentucky.

This game was back and forth for the most part, foreshadowing the epic finish to come. The Cats led 4-2 in the fifth but Arkansas erupted for four runs to go up 6-4. UK clawed  back in it and tied the game to put us into extra innings. The Hogs struck quick to go up 7-6 but the rest is history as Erika Silence hit the shot hear round the world. Okay I’m getting carried away, but that was a big home run. Here’s a look at the game stats and notes…

 (19-21, 6-7 SEC) 9     (19-19, 3-15 SEC) 7

Pitching: Chanda Bell picks up the win for UK in relief. In 2 innings pitched Bell struck out 3 and let in one run. Bell improves to 10-7 on the season as she continues to establish herself as Kentucky’s most reliable pitcher. Rachel Riley was the starter in this one and pitched 6 innings while throwing three strikeouts.

Batting: Kentucky had 19 HITS in this game. The outing stretched to 8 innings but 19 hits is unheard of. The Cats lit the place on fire. Brittany Cervantes (3-for-4) hit a double, 2 RBI, and a home run (her sixth of the year.) Emily Jolly, (3-for-5) hit for a home run as well. Erika Silence, the hero, hit a 3-run walk off homer in her 1-for-1 day. Ginny Carroll and Alice O’Brien each recorded doubles and Lauren Cumbess hit 3-for-4. WOW. Arkansas was held to 7 hits.

Errors: Arkansas: 1… Kentucky: 0

Game Notes: It was a chilly day for Softball in the Bluegrass as temps were in the mid 50′s. The game duration was 2 hours and 20 minutes in this 8 inning thriller.

The Cats trail 4-3 currently in the 7th inning of game two. Keep the fingers crossed for a double win.