Kentucky Softball Splits Doubleheader to Start Clearwater Invitational

Kentucky started their Thursday off strong, taking down previously undefeated Wichita State, but couldn’t come up with a win against Virginia to close out the day. The No. 23 Wildcats now sit at a 5-2 record for the season with three games left to play in the Clearwater Invitational this week.

Freshman Phenoms Come Up Big

Kentucky beat Wichita State 2-0 to start their week in Clearwater, FL. Allie Blum came up clutch for the Wildcats, batting in both runs against the Shockers to lead her team to victory.

It was a tough day for batters on both teams. Kentucky only got two hits for the game, a large drop-off from their huge offensive display last weekend. That drop-off did not include Blum, who had a sac-fly in the 1st inning to score one and then followed up with a massive triple in the 3rd to bring in another.

Blum is having a phenomenal start to her freshman year. She is tied for the most hits on the team through seven games and batting an impressive .435. Even better, she’s batting .500 with runners in scoring position. She has come up big for Kentucky in several games now, looking to make name for herself in college softball.

Another freshman who stepped up against the Shockers was Carson Fall, who pitched 4.0 innings with no earned runs to get her first career win at Kentucky. Blum and Fall were both on the Softball America Watch List in the preseason and are living up to the hype.

Alexia Lacatena came into the game in the 5th inning to replace Fall on the mound. She closed out the game for Kentucky, giving them their fifth win of the season.

LEX!! 🔒#WeAreUK x @ClearwaterInv pic.twitter.com/Z51BxnTf4a

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) February 13, 2025

Errors Costly for the Cats

Kentucky ended their Thursday doubleheader with a 4-1 loss to Virginia. The offensive woes continued for the Wildcats, once again being held to only two hits.

Ally Hutchins scored the only run for Kentucky in the 1st inning. She singled to center field and then stole second base to put herself in scoring position. Advancing to third base from a sac-bunt, Hutchins narrowly escaped the tag stealing home on a wild pitch to give the Wildcats an early lead.

.@AllyHutchins31 leads off the game with a single and scores on a wild pitch!

1-0 Kentucky as things move to the bottom of the first.

📺💻 ACC Network
📲 https://t.co/EdHpKUZnso
📊 https://t.co/WL0aTHUUq9#WeAreUK x @ClearwaterInv pic.twitter.com/W6wz6XtSDu

— Kentucky Softball (@UKsoftball) February 13, 2025

The good vibes did not continue for Kentucky after the 1st inning with defensive errors piling up. Kentucky made 13 errors in their first five games last weekend and that once again hurt them Thursday.

Kentucky was only credited with two errors, but several other mistakes allowed Virginia base runners to score. A misplay in the outfield led to a standing triple for Coon in the 4th inning, who then stole home on a wild pitch putting Virginia up 2-1.

Later in the 5th, a throwing error by Kentucky off a bunt attempt allowed another run to score and put runners in scoring position. The Wildcats are now sitting at 15 errors in seven games, a number that certainly needs to come down.

Schedule For Tomorrow

Kentucky has another doubleheader on Friday facing off against Clemson (1:00 p.m. EST) and #9 Oregon State (6:00 p.m. EST). Both games will be available to watch on ESPN+.