Kentucky players could not work any magic to keep from falling 4-1 at Alabama Saturday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
In a must-win game against No. 3 Alabama to keep its season alive, Kentucky watched the first four Alabama hitters reach base and was behind 2-0 before it got an out. That put the No. 14 Cats in a hole they could never climb out of as UK lost 4-1 in the second game of the Super Regional to end its season 43-16.
“We started putting people on base but could not advance them or if we did could not get the huge hit,” said coach Rachel Lawson.
Alabama pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl went the distance allowing only five hits and striking out seven. Kentucky starter Grace Baalman gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings before Autumn Humes finished the game allowing just two hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Lawson said the two-run homer by Maddie Morgan in the fourth inning that knocked Baalman out was a huge blow because it extended the lead to 4-1.
“The postseason is usually about the short game, getting people on base,” the UK coach said. “The fact they got a home run near the bottom of the order was huge.
“But I was so impressed with our defense. The score could have gotten out of hand early but we came up with key plays to keep the score tight. We had our chances (offensively) but need to do a better job keeping people on base.”
Senior outfielder Lauren Johnson had one of UK’s hits and felt UK showed it could compete with one of the nation’s best teams in the 4-3, 4-1 losses in the Super Regional.
“We showed we have fight in us and never gave up,” Johnson said. “Alabama is a dominant team. I am so incredibly proud of our team. All season we played great softball. It was an incredible season and something I will always remember. I am so thankful for our team. We always found ways to come back and score, that’s what I am most proud of.”
This could have been her final game but the Daviess County High School product will come back for a super senior season. She hit .344, drove in 41 runs, and stole 12 bases this season.
“I got accepted to graduate school at UK and will be playing another season and using my extra (COVID) year,” Johnson said. “We can use this moment to keep moving forward and prove that UK can play softball.”
Junior catcher Kayla Kowalik did that this year. She had a bunt single Saturday to become the first UK player with 100 hits in a single season and only the eighth SEC player ever to reach that make. She led the conference in hits and batting average, .495, and also led the nation in both categories.
Kowalik had 12 home runs, 11 doubles, and six triples. She drove in 37 runs and was 23-for-27 on stolen base tries. She started all 59 games and struck out just 18 times in 229 at-bats.
“I didn’t realize she had her 100th. That is cool,” Lawson said after the game. “She did so many things for us.”
Lawson noted that even without having access to a UK strength coach due to COVID protocols, Kowalik was one of the players helping organize team competitions that helped her improve her strength.
“You cannot be an elite level softball player, or Division I athlete, without being incredibly strong. She committed and was very disciplined,” Lawson said. “She added the long ball to her game. She got better at bunting. She was a triple threat.
“She was very impressive. If she is not the best leadoff batter in the country, she’s one of the best.”
