Kentucky Softball Swept by South Carolina as SEC Struggles Continue

Kentucky Softball - Camryn Williams, UK Athletics

Kentucky softball traveled to sunny and warm Columbia, SC, this past weekend to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. Unfortunately, the Wildcats did not leave feeling hot as they were swept in possibly their worst outing of the SEC season.

A Rough Start

Kentucky started their series against No. 12 South Carolina on Saturday night getting run-ruled in a 14-1 loss. This was the most runs the Wildcats have given up all year long.

Despite the score, this game was well within reach for the ‘Cats. They led after the second inning thanks to a solo home from Cassie Reasner. It was her 10th homer of the season.

CASSIE REASNER BOMBS AWAY!!

1-0, Top 2nd pic.twitter.com/SZtccq0h84
— Eleanor Beavin (@EBeavinKSR) April 19, 2025

South Carolina came back in the third and scored three runs to put them back in the lead. The game got out of hand after that. The Gamecocks scored 11 more runs in the fourth inning to put them well past the run-rule limit.

Kentucky could not respond to the sweltering offensive inning from South Carolina and dropped the first game of the series.

Cats Lose Another One

Kentucky came back on Sunday night hoping to keep the series alive with a win. They could not get it done, and barely lost 1-0.

It was a disheartening loss for the Wildcats as they put together a great defensive game against a highly talented team. Defense has been plaguing Kentucky all season, but the loss could not be blamed on that this time

Sarah Haendiges had a wonderful performance on the mound. She only gave up one run, which was scored by fielder’s choice.

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Sarah Haendiges gets her first strikeout of the day!!

0-0, Bot 4th pic.twitter.com/fIqLNdsZMV
— Eleanor Beavin (@EBeavinKSR) April 20, 2025

Kentucky just could not get anything going on the offensive end. The Wildcats only had two hits in the game, coming in the first and seventh inning. This is fourth game of the season losing by one run.

South Carolina Sweeps

Kentucky was shut out for the second straight night, losing 4-0 to South Carolina on Monday to end the series. The loss put them at 27-20 (6-12 SEC) for the season. This places them at 12th place in the SEC standings.

Julie Kelley got the start on the mound for Kentucky. The freshman had her best performance of the season going 5.1 innings and giving up two runs. It was Kelley’s first time pitching more than five consecutive innings.

The pitching was solid, but the Kentucky offense continued to struggled. They only scored one run the entire series.

Allie Blum hit the one offensive highlight of the game with a standup triple in the first inning. She also had a single later on.

Allie Blum gets a standup triple, but Kentucky cannot score in the first.

0-0, Mid 1st pic.twitter.com/4ljCJVCUkB
— Eleanor Beavin (@EBeavinKSR) April 21, 2025

Looking Ahead

Kentucky has four more game this week. They will play a midweek game on Wednesday versus Eastern Kentucky and a SEC series against Mississippi State over the weekend.