Kentucky softball (21-11, 0-6 SEC) survived a close midweek matchup against Dayton (13-12) at John Cropp Stadium on Tuesday, March 26, coming back late to win 4-3.

Freshman Sydney Langdon got the start at pitcher for the Wildcats for the eighth time this season.

The Flyers got on the board quickly in the top of the first with a sacrifice fly.

After a couple stagnant half-innings, a leadoff homer by senior Grace Lorsung in the bottom of the second tied the score at one.

The homer was Lorsung’s ninth of the year, which is second on the team only to senior Erin Coffel, who has ten.

Each team scored a run in the fourth to keep the game tight.

The Flyers scored on a single that led to a fielding error, which led to senior Stephanie Schoonover replacing Langdon in the circle.

In the bottom of the fourth, freshman Cassie Reasner, making her first career start, hit a sacrifice fly that scored Emory Donaldson, who was pinch running for Peyton Plotts.

Donaldson was initially called out at home, but after an official review, the call was overturned and she was ruled safe.

“I was hoping she was safe,” Reasner said. “I mean, I was hoping I hit it deep enough.”

Following a scoreless fifth inning, Dayton took back the lead in the sixth on a two-out solo shot.

The Cats responded in the bottom of the sixth, as Reasner hit an RBI double that scored junior Hallie Mitchell and then scored the winning run on an RBI single by sophomore Lauryn Borzilleri.

“Getting a hit is always fun,” Reasner said. “It was only my third hit of the season, so it’s just exciting.”

Schoonover was credited with the win to bring her season record to 11-5. She and Langdon combined for six strikeouts, totaling three each.

Kentucky will begin a vital home conference series against No. 14 Alabama on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. EST at John Cropp Stadium. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.