Wildcat Blue Nation
Fansided

How did the Kentucky softball and gymnastic teams do Friday?

The Cats are taking part in the Shriner classic down in Florida, and the gymnastics team took on Temple. How did these two teams do? Find out inside.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Kentucky infielder Margaret Tobias (12) throws over Oklahoma State infielder Sophie Page (2) to complete a double play in the third inning of a softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and Kentucky in the Stillwater Regional of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Oklahoma State qwon 6-2.
Kentucky infielder Margaret Tobias (12) throws over Oklahoma State infielder Sophie Page (2) to complete a double play in the third inning of a softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and Kentucky in the Stillwater Regional of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Oklahoma State qwon 6-2. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kentucky softball continues uneven play

It was a day of highs and lows for No. 23 Kentucky softball, as the Wildcats pulled off a nail-biting 7-6 win over Clemson before falling 6-3 to No. 9 Oklahoma State in the nightcap.

Freshman Anna Mauck made sure her first-career home run was one to remember, launching a go-ahead three-run blast in the sixth inning to lift the Wildcats past Clemson. Kentucky’s offense was firing, racking up nine hits and scoring in four different innings. Peyton Plotts was another standout at the plate, crushing a homer and an RBI double. Meanwhile, Emory Donaldson chipped in with an RBI double of her own.

On the mound, Alexia Lacatena (2-1) picked up the win, going five innings with three runs allowed and two strikeouts. When Clemson threatened in the seventh, Carson Fall stepped in and slammed the door, earning her first-career save with a game-ending strikeout.

Later that night, Kentucky jumped out to a 3-1 lead over No. 9 Oklahoma State, putting the Wildcats in position for a huge upset. But the Cowgirls had other plans, launching two two-run homers in the fifth inning to flip the scoreboard. An insurance run in the sixth sealed a 6-3 win for OSU, handing Kentucky its third loss of the season.

Now sitting at 6-3, the Wildcats will wrap up the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational against No. 4 UCLA on Saturday at Noon ET. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with Mark Neely and Danielle Lawrie on the call.

Kentucky Gymnastics Posts Season-High Floor Score, Dominates Temple

It was a dominant night at Historic Memorial Coliseum for No. 8 Kentucky gymnastics, as the Wildcats defeated Temple 197.175-194.200, extending their streak of 197+ scores to three straight meets.

The highlight of the night? Kentucky’s floor rotation. The Wildcats delivered their best floor score of the season (49.475), setting the tone with five gymnasts earning or matching season-best scores.

  • Hailey Davis stole the show again, scoring 9.925—her sixth straight meet leading the team. She has now scored 9.900+ in 18 of her last 19 meets.
  • Skylar Killough-Wilhelm and Creslyn Brose both posted 9.900s, keeping the momentum rolling.
  • Delaynee Rodriguez and Isabella Magnelli started the rotation strong with matching 9.875s, while Jillian Procasky added a 9.850.

Kentucky swept all five individual event titles for the second time this season and outscored Temple on every apparatus. The Wildcats are now 5-3 (2-2 SEC) and continue to build momentum as they chase a spot in the NCAA Championships.

Final Thoughts

Between softball’s thrilling win over Clemson, a near-upset of Oklahoma State, and gymnastics’ season-best floor performance, it was an eventful day for Kentucky athletics. With softball set to face No. 4 UCLA and gymnastics rolling through the season, the Wildcats continue to prove they can compete with the nation’s best.

Home/kentucky baseball