Kentucky upsets No. 3 Stanford, second top-5 softball team to fall on opening weekend
Kentucky’s newest pitching addition Jaden Vickers gave the Wildcats the steadiness they needed to upset No. 3 Stanford 2-1.
The first inning was silent for both teams, but after securing the first run, Kentucky was able to build and secure the program a top-five upset in its second game of opening day.
The upset came down to pitch execution. Stanford experienced pitching woes early on forcing senior pitcher Regan Krause to come in as a relief in the third inning. Krause showed promise in the fifth by stranding all three Cardinal batters. Stanford also scored its single run in the fifth.
On the other side of the mound, Kentucky would find their triumph in Vickers’ debut. As one of the newest pitchers on the team, Vickers was able to remain consistent and was hurling a no-hitter streak until the bottom of the fifth when Stanford was able to plate a run.
In the sixth, the game turned in the favor of the Wildcats. Kentucky coaxed a 14-pitch at-bat with one runner on base.
Another runner was able to secure a walk, allowing Wildcat outfielder Vanessa Nesby to single in the go-ahead run to secure the Wildcats’ second victory of the day. Kentucky took down UC Santa Barbara 5-1 Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, the Cardinal will get a shot at revenge when they face Kentucky once again in San Diego.