LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 3-ranked Florida softball team dropped a 5-1 decision to No. 21 Kentucky in the second game of the series at John Cropp Stadium. It was the first time the Gators have fell to Kentucky since April 13, 2013.

The Wildcats (26-12, 6-8 SEC) appeared on to the scoreboard first and took a 1-0 first in the home half of the initial frame of play as the team capitalized on an uncommon throwing error by redshirt freshman Sophia Reynoso from her shortstop position.

However, it didn't take long for the Gators (39-3, 14-2 SEC) to respond as junior Aleshia Ocasio ripped the team's first hit of the game with a shot up the middle and was later scored on Justine McLean's two-out RBI double to center field. Ocasio moved around in to scoring positon on Reynoso's seventh SAC bunt of the season.

Kentucky broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth on a trio of hits and a wild pitch from Gourley. Erin Rethlake opened frame with a single that dropped in front of Lorenz in left field and a bunt single by Katie Reed put runners on the corners.

UK went on to plate the go ahead via a wild pitch from starting pitcher Delanie Gourley. After a groundout to first baseman Kayli Kvistad for the first out, the Wildcats took a 3-1 lead on a blooper down the right field line Jenny Schaper.

Two more runs came around to score for Kentucky in the sixth inning, Katie Reed singled down the left field line for a pair of RBIs.

Gourley (13-3) finished the complete-game with seven strikeouts compared to one walk while Meagan Prince improved to 13-6 on the season.

The Gators look to rebound in the series finale tomorrow against the Wildcats. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and can be found on the SEC Network via WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

Coaches Corner
Thoughts on today's game and what the team needs to do to bounce back tomorrow…
"We have to do a better job of creating leverage and just hitting the ball. I think overall today we weren't very good offensively, we weren't sharp defensively and with that you get a team that can beat you. Tomorrow, we just have to do a better job of hitting the ball." – Tim Walton

Notables

• Amanda Lorenz extended her reached base safely streak to 42-straight games for the Gators. She ended the 2016 season on an 18-game reached base streak.
  • The mark surpasses for Gator Kelsey Stewarts 41 game streak she compiled during the 2014 season.
• Nicole DeWitt registered her second multi-walk game of the season and finished with two in today's game.
  • DeWitt's career-high for walks in a game is three, which she has achieved twice and once during the 2017 season (2/17 – Florida A&M).
• Today's loss snapped a seven game win streak. The last time the Gators fell to the Wildcats was April 13, 2013 in Lexington during the second game of the series.

 
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