HOMEWOOD, Ala. — Thanks to a 3-for-4 day from outfielder Renee Abernathy at the plate that was composed of three singles, two with two-outs and in RBI situations, and an amazing catch in left field – the No. 13 Kentucky Softball team vaulted out to a 3-0 start to the 2021 season with a 12-9 win over Samford on Saturday afternoon.
Kentucky is now 3-0 on the season, and for the first time in program history has won all of its games on opening weekend in back-to-back seasons. Last year, UK went 4-0 at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Florida, and this weekend went 3-0 in a three-game series against Samford.
Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth affair with Kentucky and Samford as the two teams exchanged the lead five times, and Kentucky ultimately prevailing by scoring five of the final six runs in the game.
Autumn Humes was the winning pitcher, as she moved her 2021 season record to 2-0 as she has now thrown 10 scoreless innings in 2021 of the 11 that she has thrown. She threw the final 4.0 innings of the game, allowing one run on two hits and striking out three batters.
Kentucky’s season is scheduled to continue on Thursday and Friday afternoon in Greensboro against the UNC Greensboro Spartans with one game each day before making the trip to Buies Creek, North Carolina for Campbell’s Tournament over the weekend.
