No. 24 Kentucky softball (6-3) started its second day at the 2025 ESPN Shriners Children’s Clearwater Elite Invitational with a 7-6 win against Clemson (3-5). 

The Wildcats were designated visitors of the third match of five total in Clearwater, Florida. The Cats started the second day after a split on the first, with a win against Wichita State followed by a loss against Virginia. 

At the top of the first, Kentucky quickly made it 2-0 with a two-out home run from Peyton Plotts – the sophomore’s second of the year.

Clemson quickly followed suit with a similar two-run home run at the bottom of the first to square out the first inning. 

A rapid response to left field from Kentucky’s Emory Donaldson at the top of second allowed Delani Sullivan to hit home, allowing the Cats to regain the lead. 

The remainder of the third allowed for one more Kentucky run, and a tag for Hallie Mitchell for the third out to wrap the inning. 

The fourth remained scoreless for both sides, with a standout catch from Donaldson at the bottom of inning to record a second out on the Tigers. 

With first and second loaded in the sixth, Anna Mauck recorded her first career home run to give Kentucky a 7-2 advantage.

Mauck finished as Kentucky’s standout player of the game, recording three RBI alongside her home run.

By the bottom of the seventh, the Cats had maintained a four-run advantage over Clemson, however, with two outs, the Tigers responded by gaining momentum with a single through the left side allowing them to pull within one. 

However, Kentucky’s Carson Fall got her first-career save and sealed the game with a called third strike to secure a win for the Wildcats.

Shortly after, the Wildcats went on to face off against No. 10 Oklahoma State, where they led after the three, yet ultimately fell 6-3 to the Cowgirls, giving them their second split of the invitational. 

Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 5, to finish out its run in Clearwater versus No. 4 UCLA at noon ET.