Back from the brink: Kentucky softball surges to life in Clemson regional
With their season hanging by a thread, Kentucky softball flipped the script — and fast. Just hours after a dismal 4-0 loss to Northwestern in the Clemson Regional opener, the Wildcats stormed back with not one, but two decisive wins to keep their postseason dreams alive.
Rachel Lawson’s team entered Saturday on a six-game losing skid and had been outscored 45-10 during that stretch. A seventh loss would have sent them packing for Lexington. Instead, the Wildcats dominated USC Upstate 11-0 in six innings, then dismantled Northwestern 8-3 in a rematch — their most complete day of softball in weeks.
Now, Kentucky has momentum. The Wildcats face No. 1 seed Clemson on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and will need to beat the Tigers twice to reach a Super Regional. Clemson needs just one win to advance.
Plot twist: The offense wakes up
After going scoreless against Northwestern on Friday, Kentucky’s bats came alive in a major way. Freshman Peyton Plotts starred in both victories, going a combined 6-for-8 on the day with a home run and three RBIs. Delani Sullivan, Cassie Reasner, and Allie Blum also made major impacts as Kentucky racked up 19 runs across two games.
In the elimination game against USC Upstate, Julie Kelley tossed a gem — a three-hit shutout over six innings. She kept the Spartans off balance, needing just 78 pitches to record the win. Offensively, Kentucky exploded with four runs in the second and never looked back. Donaldson went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs, while Blum added a home run and three more RBIs of her own.
Redemption game: Kentucky handles Northwestern
Just hours later, the Wildcats returned to the field to face a familiar foe in Northwestern. This time, they left no doubt. Sydney Langdon delivered a gritty complete game performance in the circle, throwing 124 pitches and striking out five. Her offense gave her breathing room early, scoring four runs in the second inning.
Ally Hutchins homered in the win, while Blum, Plotts, and Madyson Clark all drove in runs to put the game out of reach. It was a night-and-day difference from Kentucky’s previous performance against the Wildcats and a reminder that postseason softball is about resilience.
Clemson awaits
Kentucky now faces its toughest challenge yet — beating Clemson, at home, twice in one day. The Tigers survived a nine-inning battle with Northwestern earlier in the day, winning 1-0 after Aby Viera tripled and scored on a bunt. That win kept them undefeated in the regional and just one win away from the Super Regionals.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, need to run the table — again. But after Saturday’s show of force, the narrative has changed. They’re no longer a team just trying to hang on. They’re a team with something to prove.
First pitch is at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. A second game, if necessary, will follow shortly after.