The Kentucky Wildcats softball team (29-26) is staring down a golden opportunity in the 2025 NCAA Regional at Clemson’s McWhorter Stadium. Facing a double-elimination gauntlet with No. 15 Clemson (44-12), Northwestern (29-18-1), and USC Upstate (39-14), the Wildcats need to channel their inner underdog to upset the host Tigers and punch a ticket to a Super Regional. Clemson’s a powerhouse, riding a seven-game winning streak and a 24-4 home record, but Kentucky’s got the bats, arms, and heart to make a run. Let’s break down a game plan to topple the region and get to a Super Regional
The Regional Setup
In this double-elimination format, Kentucky opens against No. 3 seed Northwestern at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Clemson, the No. 15 national seed, faces USC Upstate at 4:30 p.m. on ACC Network. The winners and losers advance to respective brackets, with the regional champ needing to emerge unscathed or claw back through the loser’s bracket. Kentucky’s path likely runs through Clemson, who boast a .329 team batting average, 80 home runs, and a 2.67 ERA. The Wildcats (.288 BA, 57 HRs, 3.93 ERA) are outgunned on paper, but their balanced lineup and pitching can exploit Clemson’s weaknesses.
Keys to upsetting Clemson
1. Neutralize Clemson’s Power Bats
Clemson’s offense is a juggernaut, scoring 406 runs (7.25 per game) with 80 homers. Maddie Moore (.420 BA, 16 HRs, 1.283 OPS) and Alex Brown (.420 BA, 63 runs) are the headliners, with Julia Knowler (14 HRs) and Macey Cintron (13 HRs) adding pop. Kentucky’s pitching staff, led by Alexia Lacatena (2.57 ERA) and Sarah Haendiges (2.63 ERA), must keep these sluggers in check.
2. Pitch to Contact
Clemson’s 241 strikeouts show they’re free swingers. Lacatena’s 14 homers allowed in 62.2 innings suggest she needs to mix her pitches (sliders, changeups) to induce weak contact, especially against Moore and Knowler. Haendiges’ 89 Ks in 90.2 innings can target Brown, who rarely strikes out (11 Ks in 176 ABs).
3. Avoid the Heart of the Order
Moore (No. 3), Brown (No. 1), and Knowler (No. 5) drive Clemson’s attack. Walk them strategically if needed, but don’t let them see fastballs in the zone. Force weaker hitters like Kylee Johnson (.222 BA) to beat you.
4. Be error free on defense
Kentucky’s .970 fielding percentage is solid, but Clemson capitalizes on errors (11-1 when opponents make 2+ errors). Ally Hutchins (1.000 FLD% at shortstop) and Lauryn Borzilleri (.985 at third) must be airtight.
Why It Works: Clemson’s 24-2 record in games with 5+ runs shows their reliance on big innings. If Kentucky limits homers (Clemson’s 25-3 with 2+ HRs) and keeps rallies short, they can keep scores in the 3-5 run range, where Clemson is 17-3 but vulnerable.
5. Ignite the Offense Early
Kentucky’s 277 runs (5.04 per game) rely on Peyton Plotts (.329 BA, 15 HRs, 1.117 OPS) and Allie Blum (.331 BA, 7 HRs). Clemson’s pitching, led by Reese Basinger (2.92 ERA, 114 Ks) and Brooke McCubbin (2.75 ERA), is stingy, allowing 180 runs (3.21 per game). The Wildcats must jump on early counts to disrupt Clemson’s rhythm.
6. Attack First Pitches
Clemson’s pitchers walked 103 batters, showing occasional control issues. Plotts (24 BBs) and Hutchins (42 BBs) should be aggressive early, hunting fastballs before Basinger settles in with her off-speed stuff.
7. Spread the Wealth
Kentucky’s lineup is deep, with seven players hitting .268 or better. Cassie Reasner (10 HRs) and Hallie Mitchell (5 HRs) can flip games with one swing. Spread hits across the order to tire Clemson’s staff, which leans heavily on Basinger (158 IP).
8. Score First
Clemson is 25-6 when scoring first but 19-6 when trailing, showing resilience but not invincibility. Kentucky’s 34 first-inning runs must translate to early leads to quiet the McWhorter crowd.
Why It Works: Kentucky’s .856 team OPS thrives when they string hits together (401 hits in 55 games). Clemson’s 33-0 record when leading after four innings means Kentucky must strike early to avoid playing catch-up.
9. Win the Pitching Marathon
In a double-elimination format, depth is king. Kentucky’s five-pitcher staff (Lacatena, Haendiges, Carson Fall, Julie Kelley, Sydney Langdon) gives them flexibility if Lacatena can go, but Clemson’s trio of Basinger, McCubbin, and Cintron (2.07 ERA in relief) is battle-tested. Kentucky must manage arms to survive multiple games while targeting Clemson’s bullpen.
Start Lacatena who is questionable with a back injury, Save Haendiges
Lacatena’s 2.57 ERA and low walk rate (10 BBs in 62.2 IP) make her ideal to face Clemson’s top-heavy lineup. Haendiges, with 89 Ks, is a strikeout weapon for high-leverage relief or a loser’s bracket start. Avoid overusing Fall (4.28 ERA), who’s prone to walks (59 BBs).
Force Clemson’s bullpen to throw
Basinger and McCubbin threw 277.2 of Clemson’s 365 innings. Kentucky’s patient approach (177 walks drawn) can inflate pitch counts, forcing Olivia Duncan (1.66 ERA but only 12.2 IP) into extended action, where she’s less proven.
Kentucky’s 3.93 ERA holds up in low-scoring games (they’re 10-5 when allowing 3-5 runs). By stretching Clemson’s pitching thin, the Wildcats can expose cracks in a staff that’s 4-6 when allowing 6-9 runs.
10. Leverage the double-elimination edge
Kentucky’s first game against Northwestern is winnable (Northwestern’s .275 BA and 3.57 ERA are comparable to Kentucky’s stats). A win puts them in the winner’s bracket, potentially facing Clemson early. Here’s how to navigate the format:
Beat Northwestern: Northwestern’s Kate Drohan (.413 BA) and Hannah Cady (12 HRs) are threats, but their pitching (Ashley Miller, 3.33 ERA) is hittable. Plotts and Reasner can feast on Miller’s 46 walks. Win this to save pitching for Clemson.
Split with Clemson: If Kentucky faces Clemson in the winner’s bracket, a loss isn’t fatal. The goal is to win one of two potential games against Clemson, ideally in the regional final. Use Lacatena in the first matchup and Haendiges in the second to maximize freshness.
Handle USC Upstate: Upstate’s .344 BA and 42 HRs (led by Sophia Kardatzke, .393 BA, 15 HRs) are dangerous, but their 4.24 ERA and 98 stolen bases allowed play into Kentucky’s hands. Steal bases with Blum and Hutchins (9 combined SBs) and target Upstate’s bullpen (Kardatzke, 5.08 ERA).
Strengths of Kentucky’s plan
Balanced Lineup: Seven hitters over .268, with Plotts (15 HRs) and Blum (.414 OBP) setting the tone, give Kentucky multiple ways to score.
Pitching Depth: Lacatena and Haendiges provide two ace-level options, with Fall and Kelley as serviceable backups for a multi-game grind.
Clutch Factor: Kentucky’s 10-5 record in games decided by 3-5 runs and 5-5 in one-run games show they thrive in tight spots, unlike Clemson’s 10-3 in one-run games but 4-6 when allowing 6-9 runs.
Weaknesses to address
Power Gap: Kentucky’s 57 homers pale next to Clemson’s 80. If Moore and Knowler go yard, the Wildcats need to counter with small ball (45 sac bunts) and timely hits.
Road Struggles: Kentucky’s 8-13 away record (vs. Clemson’s 24-4 at home) means they must block out the hostile crowd and lean on veterans like Plotts and Hutchins.
Pitching Control: Kentucky’s staff walked 185 batters, and Clemson’s .426 OBP feasts on free bases. Lacatena and Haendiges must hit spots to avoid big innings.
Intangibles and vibe
Kentucky’s got that underdog swagger, with nothing to lose as the No. 2 seed. Coach Rachel Lawson’s squad thrives on defying expectations. Clemson’s seven-game streak and home-field advantage are daunting, but their 5-11 record when out-hit shows they’re mortal. Kentucky needs to play loose, trust their bats, and ride Lacatena’s poise to steal a game—or two.
X-Factor: Peyton Plotts
Her 15 homers and .707 slugging can match Clemson’s power hitters. If she goes deep in a key spot, the momentum swings to Big Blue.
Path to the Super Regional
- Day 1: Beat Northwestern with Lacatena (save Haendiges). Plotts and Blum spark a 6-4 win.
- Day 2: Face Clemson in the winner’s bracket. Push Basinger’s pitch count, but lose 7-4. Drop to loser’s bracket.
- Day 3: Beat USC Upstate or Northwestern with Haendiges’ strikeouts, winning 5-3. Advance to regional final.
- Day 4: Rematch Clemson. Use a rested Lacatena.
Big Blue Nation, this is Kentucky’s moment. Clemson’s a beast, but the Wildcats have the bats to hang, the arms to compete, and the heart to shock the world. Keep Moore and Brown in the yard, let Plotts and Blum set the tone, and trust Lacatena to deal as long as she is healthy. In this double-elimination slugfest, one big win over Clemson—paired with smart bracket play—sends Kentucky to a Super Regional. Let’s go Cats!