Kentucky Softball Closes Out Week with Narrow Loss to No. 4 UCLA

Kentucky softball ended their week in Clearwater, FL, with a loss to #4 UCLA 3-1. The Wildcats battled with one of the nation’s top teams, but could not convert runs down the stretch.

Wildcats Struggle To Bring In Runs

After an onslaught of offensive power to start the season, Kentucky struggled to score runs all week in the Clearwater Invitational. On Saturday, the Wildcats kept a big UCLA offense relatively quiet but could not muster up any offense of their own.

Kentucky had several opportunities throughout the game, leaving eight runners on base. The Wildcats only had one less hit to UCLA, but were not able to convert with runners in scoring position.

In the 1st inning, two Wildcats were on base with one out when a costly double play by the Bruins ended an early rally.

The 5th inning was deflating for Kentucky. The Wildcats, down 3-1, loaded the bases with one out from a hit-by-pitch, a UCLA error, and an Allie Blum single. But back-to-back strikeouts for Kentucky stranded all three runners.

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The only run for Kentucky came from a Lauren Borzilleri RBI single that brought in Peyton Plotts, who smoked a leadoff triple in the 4th inning. Plotts is leading the offense on the season for the Wildcats, batting at a .412 clip with 13 RBIs.

A leadoff triple for Peyton Plotts to get things going for Kentucky in the 4th!! 🙀

0-2, Top 4th pic.twitter.com/6qa2JpkXKf
— Eleanor Beavin (@EBeavinKSR) February 15, 2025

Carson Fall only allowed two hits in her three innings of work as the Kentucky starting pitcher. Unfortunately, those hits were HRs for the Bruins. Sarah Haendiges relieved Fall, giving up just three hits the rest of the game.

Kentucky finished their week at the Clearwater Invitational 2-3. The overall record for the Wildcats now sits at 6-4.

Next Week

Kentucky will head to Atlanta, GA, next weekend to play in the I-75 Tournament from Feb 21-23. They will have two doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, finishing with a single game on Sunday.

Friday, February 21