Kentucky
No. 25 Kentucky softball upsets No. 2 Stanford
Kentucky’s newest pitching addition Jaden Vickers gave the Wildcats the steadiness they needed to upset No. 2 Stanford, 2-1.
The first inning was silent for both teams but after securing the first run, Kentucky was able to build and secure the program a top-five upset on their second game of opening day.
The upset came down to pitch execution. Stanford experienced pitching woes early on forcing senior pitcher Regan Krause to come in as a relief in the third inning. Krause showed promise in the fifth by stranding all three Cardinal batters. Stanford also scored their single run in the fifth.
On the other side of the mound, Kentucky would find their triumph in Vickers’ debut. As one of the newest pitchers on the team, Vickers was able to remain consistent and was on a no-hitter streak until l the bottom of the fifth when Stanford was able to gain a run.
In the sixth, the game turned in the favor of the Wildcats. Kentucky experienced a 14-pitch at bat with one runner on first.
Another runner was able to secure a walk allowing Wildcat outfielder Vanessa Nesby to force the go-ahead run ending in the Wildcat’s second victory of the day, first taking down UC Santa Barabara ending the day with a upset win against Stanford.
Tomorrow, Stanford will get another chance to show why they sit at No. 2 as they face No. 25 Kentucky in San Diego.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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