When the stakes were high, Louisville, Kentucky native Emory Donaldson came through for the Wildcats. 

Kentucky softball battled back with the help of Donaldson in 8-3 win over in-state rival Louisville. 

Donaldson stepped up in one of the most crucial moments of the game and delivered a bases-clearing triple into left-center field in the top of the seventh. 

The Wildcats snapped a four-game losing streak with this victory. 

Donaldson was the only Kentucky player to log multiple hits in the game. 

Before Donaldson’s big moment, the Wildcats fought from behind for most of the game. The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. 

Donaldson is batting .250 on the season and has shown her versatility as a utility player for the Wildcats. Her triple against the Cardinals marked her second of the year. 

Donaldson was a highly sought after recruit coming out of Ballard High School in Louisville where she was ranked No. 65 nationally by Extra Innings Softball and No. 16 at her position.

While in high school, she earned First Team All-State honors in 2022, finishing second in Kentucky in home runs and triples while ranking fifth in total hits. 

Kentucky closed the gap in the second inning when Peyton Plotts scored on a ground ball by Karissa Hamilton however, Louisville extended its lead to 3-1 in the fourth with a solo home run.

The Wildcats collected their 22nd win to move to 22-15 on the season. 

Following the win, Kentucky will play Auburn in a three-game SEC series beginning on Friday, April 4.