Kentucky softball's season comes to an end following 5-1 loss to Clemson

The Kentucky softball offseason is officially underway.

Needing to win two games on Sunday in order to keep their season alive, the Wildcats were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament before they could even get to that second opportunity. The No. 11 Clemson Tigers used a three-run fourth inning to beat Kentucky 5-1 and make it out of the Clemson Regional.

Kentucky pulled out two wins on Saturday to reach this point, beating USC Upstate 11-0 in six innings before exacting revenge on Northwestern (which beat the ‘Cats in the opener on Friday) by a score of 8-3. But offensive woes popped up once again on Sunday. UK managed just six hits on the day while leaving seven runners on base.

This year was the 16th straight season head coach Rachel Lawson led UK to the NCAA Tournament, but the ‘Cats have not made a Super Regional appearance since 2021 and now have back-to-back losing records in the Southeastern Conference. Kentucky finished the 2025 season with a 31-28 overall record (7-17 SEC).

FINAL – Clemson 5, Kentucky 1

Another incredible season of Kentucky Softball ends in the 2025 Clemson Regional, UK's 16th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Thank you @mckenziebump @halpal00 @alexialacatena

You're forever Wildcats

💙See you in February, #BBN! 💙 pic.twitter.com/mSVNI3vUW5

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) May 18, 2025

Clemson got on board first on Sunday. A double in the third inning scored the first Tiger of the day before a two-run homer and another double in the fourth inning made it a 4-0 ball game. Kentucky was able to tack on a run from Peyton Plotts in the sixth inning, but that was as far as the bats would go. Clemson added an insurance run in the event for good measure to seal the Wildcats’ fate.

For seniors Alexia Lacatena, Hallie Mitchell, and McKenzie Bump, this was their final game as members of the Wildcats. They’ll leave the program with over 100 wins and a pair of NCAA Regional Final berths. Despite the loss, Kentucky still ended the season with over 30 wins, the 16th straight year Lawson’s group has reached that benchmark.

Clemson moves on to the NCAA Super Regionals with the win. The Tigers will take on No. 6 Texas down in Austin for a three-game series with a spot in the 2025 Women’s College World Series on the line.