SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jaden Vickers threw six innings and struck out 12 batters Friday afternoon as No. 13 Kentucky knocked off the Akron Zips by a score of 7-3 to kick off the 2024 Wings Etc. Classic hosted by USC Upstate.

Grace Lorsung blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning with two outs to give UK an early lead, and Stephanie Schoonover came in to log her second save of the season, getting a groundout to third to end the Zips threat.

Lorsung was one of three UK players to hit homers in the game, as she was joined by Ally Hutchins, who cranked her first-career longball to left center in the bottom of the fifth, followed by a solo shot from right fielder Taylor Ebbs later in the inning.

Kentucky used three pitchers in the game, with Vickers throwing 6.0 complete innings, striking out 12 batters with no walks and only allowing five hits.

Freshman Sydney Langdon came on in the seventh to get two strikeouts to the first two batters she faced, and Schoonover came in with two on and two outs to record the final out on a ground ball to third, which Lorsung handled at third and tossed to Meeko Harrison at first for the final out.

Key Play

Grace Lorsung’s three-rub blast in the bottom of the first inning was the key play, as the Wildcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

Key Player

Jaden Vickers was the key player in Friday’s game, logging 12 strikeouts in six innings with five hits and no walks allowed.

Key Stat

0. Kentucky had no errors in the game.

Run Recap

B1 | After Rylea Smith reached on an error and Ally Hutchins was walked with two outs, Grace Lorsung hit a three-run home run to left center to score the opening three runs of the game. Taylor Ebbs scored later in the inning after a single and an error. UK 4, AKR 0

T2 | Akron hit a solo HR in the top of the second. UK 4, AKR 1

B5 | Rylea Smith led off the fifth with a single and scored on Ally Hutchins’ first-career homer. Taylor Ebbs then hit a solo blast to left center. UK 7, AKR 1

T6 | The Zips hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. FINAL – Kentucky 7, Akron 3

Up Next

With the win, UK improves to 7-2 on the season through its first nine games and will play USC Upstate, the tournament hosts, at 6:30 p.m. ET in the nightcap of opening day at the Wings Etc. Classic. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.