Freshman pitcher Grace Baalman opened her career in style on Thursday night, throwing a complete-game shutout in her first-career start as a Wildcat, throwing UK to a 5-0 win over the San Diego State Aztecs.
With the win, UK picks up its second win in a row, and moves to 2-2 on the season. San Diego State drops to 1-7 on the young season. Baalman gets the win, going the distance to move to 1-0 on the season. The Aztecs’ Marissa Moreno picks up the loss and falls to 0-2.
Baalman was sharp all night long, getting stronger and stronger as the game went on. The freshman allowed no runs on just six Aztec hits, walked just three and struck out seven. She becomes the first Wildcat pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout in her first-career start since Katie Henderson in 2013.
Due to Illinois-Chicago not being able to make the trip out west, the schedule for the 2018 Campbell/Cartier Classic has been changed. UK will now only play one game on Friday, against Cal State Fullerton at 6:30 p.m. ET. Kentucky will play twice on Saturday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET vs. North Dakota State and following that another game with Cal State Fullerton at 9 p.m. ET.
Key Stat
Zero. The zero runs allowed by Grace Baalman was the key stat in the game.
Key Play
Lauren Johnson’s two-RBI double was the key play in the game, breaking open the score in the fourth inning for the first two runs batted in of her career. Johnson went 2-for-2 on the night with a double, single and two RBI.
Key Player
Bailey Vick was the key player in the game Thursday night, going 4-for-4 at the plate with four infield singles. It is the first-career four-hit game for Vick and she becomes the first player with four hits in a game since Christain Stokes had five in a game against Long Beach State in 2015.
Run Recap
After a lead-off single by Katie Reed and a HBP to Jenny Schaper, UK had two on with nobody out to start the fourth inning. A walk to Rachael Metzger loaded the bases and then an SDSU error during Brooklin Hinz’ at bat scored Reed to make it 1-0. With the bases still loaded, Lauren Johnson doubled to score two runs and Bailey Vick then singled in a run for an RBI to make it 4-0, UK. UK 4, SDSU 0
In the top of the sixth inning, Kentucky tacked on its fifth run on an RBI single by Erin Rethlake. The senior’s hit into left center scored Lauren Johnson, who singled with two outs to start the rally. FINAL – #25 Kentucky 5, San Diego State 0
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