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Kentucky opens NCAA Tournament with wild walk-off over Michigan

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Kentucky is safely into the winner’s bracket at the Stillwater Regional, coming away with a dramatic win in an NCAA Tournament opener Friday afternoon.

The Wildcats opened the regional round with a game against Michigan, winners of the Big Ten Tournament. The game was a low-scoring one but provided some dramatic fireworks.

In the 4th inning, Grace Lorsung gave Kentucky a 2-1 lead with a solo home run. That lead was shortlived with Michigan’s Ella Stephenson putting the Wolverines ahead with a 2-run shot in the top of the 5th inning.

The good news is Kentucky answered quickly with an RBI double from Vanessa Nesby in the bottom of the frame. Then, the stage was set for a dramatic conclusion in the bottom of the 7th inning.

With 1 out, Kentucky got 2 runners on base to put the pressure on before a fielder’s choice and an intentional walk loaded the bases with 2 outs. That brought up Ally Hutchins, and the at-bat lived up to the drama.

Hutchins laced a soft line drive in the space between the second base fielder and the right fielder. The 2B had a bead on the ball and initially appeared to reel in the catch, but Hutchins’ fly ball ultimately hit and bounced off the glove.

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The win gives Kentucky 11 straight victories in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will now await the winner of the Oklahoma State vs. Northern Colorado game in the winner’s bracket matchup set for 1 pm ET on Saturday.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.

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