Kentucky softball (1-0) began its season with a 7-0 victory against Pittsburgh (0-1) on Friday, Feb. 7. The Wildcats extended their streak of season opener victories to six seasons.
This was the first of five games for the Wildcats in the 2025 NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. Kentucky was the home team in this game.
Pittsburgh got one hit before recording its third out to leave the top of the first inning scoreless.
The Wildcats couldn’t get anything going in the bottom of the frame, either, going three-up, three-down to end the first inning tied at 0-0.
The Panther offense remained dormant in the second inning as Alexia Lacatena retired the side in order.
Peyton Plotts led off the bottom of the second with a single to right field. Cassie Reasner followed Plotts with a bunt for a hit. Both runners advanced into scoring position with just one out thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Lauryn Borzilleri.
Hallie Mitchell then grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Plotts to score from third. Delani Sullivan walked, putting runners on the corners for Emory Donaldson. Donaldson ripped a line drive triple down the left field line to score both runners, then scored herself on a passed ball.
The Kentucky offense woke up in the second inning and pulled out to a 4-0 lead heading into the third.
Pittsburgh put two runners on after a single and fielding error, but failed to score them once again.
The Panthers opted to change pitchers after Kyra Pittman allowed four runs in the previous inning. Pittsburgh brought in freshman Bekah Duck to make her NCAA debut in relief.
Duck conceded a leadoff walk, but got three consecutive outs to end the third inning and hold Kentucky to a 4-0 lead.
The Panthers got a two-out single, but recorded their third out in the next at-bat. Pittsburgh hitters had no answer for Lacatena, being shut out through four innings.
Mitchell reached base on a hit-by-pitch to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but she was caught stealing. Donaldson then hit a two-out double, but was stranded at second. The Wildcat lead remained 4-0 through four innings.
Pittsburgh got a runner on third following a two-out double and stolen base. Lacatena continued to dominate and closed the door, holding the Panthers scoreless for the fifth consecutive inning.
Kentucky added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run by Allie Blum. This extended the Wildcats’ lead to 5-0 going into the sixth inning.
The Panthers continued to struggle mightily with Lacatena, going three-up, three-down to end the top of the sixth inning.
Donaldson reached base on a walk and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Karissa Hamilton drove her in with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a throwing error. Hamilton stole home on a passed ball to give Kentucky a 7-0 lead after six innings.
Pittsburgh recorded three consecutive outs for the second inning in a row, resulting in a 7-0 shutout victory for the Wildcats.
Lacatena was in complete control all game and dominated the Panther offense. She ended the game with seven shutout innings, allowing zero walks and just four hits.
Kentucky had a great day at the plate as a team, scoring seven runs on seven hits. Donaldson stood out, going 2-2 with a double, triple, two runs, two RBI and one walk.
The Wildcats’ return to action comes immediately after this game. They will face off against Notre Dame with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Kentucky will be the home team once again. This game will be streamed on Kentucky softball’s Gamechanger page.
