re: Bama Softball 39-20 (10-14) (2023-24)

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Down three runs in the top of the seventh inning, Alabama brought the potential tying run to the plate but the late comeback attempt ultimately fell short as Kentucky held on for the 6-3 win Thursday night to start the weekend series.

Both teams stranded the bases loaded in the first inning before Alabama (25-7, 2-5 SEC) got on the board in the top of the second courtesy of a passed ball. Another passed ball and a pair of bases-loaded walks in the bottom half of the inning gave Kentucky (22-11, 1-6 SEC) a 3-1 lead and the Wildcats added three more in the fifth to swell the advantage to 6-1.

In the top of the sixth, Marlie Giles and Emma Broadfoot led off the inning with back-to-back home runs to draw back within three. Kentucky went down in order in the bottom of the sixth, keeping the deficit at three runs for Alabama in the top of the seventh. Kenleigh Cahalan reached on an error to start the frame, advanced to second on a groundout and third on a wild pitch. A groundout went for out number two and kept Cahalan at third before Giles drew a walk, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. A 12-pitch at bat ended in a strikeout as the comeback effort fell short.

Giles and Broadfoot's home runs are their fourth and second of the season, respectively, and Lauren Johnson reached base in all three plate appearances with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Kayla Beaver (10-3) took the loss in the circle, exiting after 1.2 innings, while Jocelyn Briski threw 4.1 relief innings behind her with three runs, one earned, allowed on two hits.

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