Kentucky
Vickers smokes Akron with 12 Ks in No. 13 Kentucky win
54 minutes ago
Kentucky Athletics
Photo: Kentucky Athletics
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+.
Kentucky
Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for June 25, 2026
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky
Takeaways from Kentucky’s home and away SEC schedule for next season
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook and YouTube for the latest news.
Follow
Kentucky
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky? See laws ahead of Fourth of July
Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
-
Delaware3 minutes agoAfter changing Delaware’s library system forever, she’s stepping away
-
Florida10 minutes agoFlorida tattoo shop refuses service to military and veterans for being ‘war criminals’
-
Georgia13 minutes agoWhat would it take for Missouri football to stun Georgia in 2026?
-
Hawaii18 minutes agoScientists say major earthquakes feel frequent, but activity is on track
-
Idaho25 minutes agoEagle Road’s long-awaited variable speed signs one step closer to operation
-
Illinois28 minutes agoIllinois Lt. Gov. candidates focus on affordability in pitch to Rockford voters
-
Indiana33 minutes agoIndiana Fever President Addresses Player Safety After Alyssa Thomas' Suspension
-
Iowa40 minutes agoIowa City Regina baseball finds winning formula under new leadership