Prince’s Second No-Hitter In Three Weeks Guides Kentucky to Split

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The No. 16 Kentucky softball team saw junior Meagan Prince throw her second no-hitter in as many weeks as the Martin, Tenn., recorded the fourth no-hitter for Kentucky pitching this season through 20 games, as the Wildcats split games beating Winthrop, 11-0 and falling to Charlotte 5-3 earlier in the day.

Prince struck out eight batters on the night and had no walks in the game – only missing a perfect game by a hit by pitch in the second inning for the Eagles. Prince was only forced to throw 49 pitches in the entire game, facing 16 batters and throwing 38 of 49 strikes.

Kentucky is now 17-3 on the season with a 1-1 showing on Saturday and will wrap up play at the Winthrop Invitational on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. ET with a rematch against host Winthrop at Terry Field in Rock Hill. The game will be shown live online on the Big South Digital Network.

Game 1 – Charlotte - Box Score (PDF)

Key Stat

Five. For the first time all season, Kentucky allowed multiple runs in the first inning to an opponent, as the 49ers scored all five of their runs in the top of the first which would be all they would need to beat UK, 5-3.

Key Play

The key play in the game was a grand slam with one out and one run in for the 49ers in the top of the first by Jenny Harris.

Key Player

After a leadoff hit by pitch, Haley Pace reached on a fielder’s choice that was overthrown by the UK infield to put runners on first and third with one out. Grace Beatty singled up the middle to score a run and put the 49ers on the board. After back-to-back infield singles, Meredith Harris homered to straightaway center to score four more and make it 5-0. CLT 5, UK 0

Kentucky would score one in the bottom of the second inning after a walk from Christian Stokes got things going for the UK offense. After a wild pitch got Stokes to second, Kelsey Nunley singled back up the middle to score a run. CLT 5, UK 1

UK would score another run in the sixth as Nikki Sagermann doubled to the gap in right center, scoring Abbey Cheek who had reached earlier in the inning on a single back up the box. CLT 5, UK 2

Kentucky scored one in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Brooklin Hinz pinch hit RBI double, and loaded the bases with two outs for Katie Reed. Reed struck out swinging to end the game, and also end her hit streak at a school-record 19 games. FINAL – Charlotte 5, No. 16 Kentucky 5

Game 2 – Winthrop - Box Score (PDF)

Key Stat

Four. Meagan Prince’s no-hitter was the fourth no-hitter by UK pitching this season. That sets a new program record for most no-hitters in one season in Kentucky softball history.

Key Play

The key play in the game was in the bottom of the fourth inning as Maddie Whittingham grounded to the right side, as the ball deflected off the shin of the first base umpire keeping it in fair territory and sending it straight to Ansley Smith at second. Smith then flipped to first just in time to keep the no-hitter en tact.  

Key Player

Maisie Steed was the key player in the game in addition to Meagan Prince. Steed went 2-for-3 on the night as she continued her hot start to the season. The Georgia native scored three runs, a new career-high, and also drew two quality walks after great at-bats.

Run Recap

Kentucky scored three runs on one hit in the top of the first inning to take a commanding lead early on in the game. Steed led off the game with a walk, and then Sylver Samuel had a single to the left side and Steed scored as Samuel busted to third on a throwing error. Katie Reed walked on five pitches and scored on a double by Abbey Cheek in addition to Samuel. UK 3, WIN 0

Christian Stokes hit the first of her two home runs to lead off the top of the second inning to make it a 4-0 win for the Wildcats. Steed and Samuel walked to put runners on first and second with no outs and Katie Reed moved runners to second and third with one out. Nikki Sagermann had a SAC fly to center to score a run, and then an Abbey Cheek SAC fly to center brought home another run. Brooklin Hinz singled to center to score Sagermann and Hinz would score on a Breanne Ray advancement thanks to an outfield error. UK 8, WIN 0

Christian Stokes hammered her second home run of the night, obliterating a ball to straightaway center, scoring Hannah Huffman – who pinch ran for Jenny Schaper who doubled to lead off the inning in the top of the fifth. Kelsee Henson drove in Maisie Steed to score the final run. FINAL – No. 16 Kentucky 11, Winthrop 0

For the latest on the Kentucky softball team, follow @UKSoftball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.