Kentucky softball (5-1) took down the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (1-6) in run-ruling fashion by a score of 10-2 in five innings as they continued their California road trip.
A dominating performance for the Wildcats spoiled UCSB’s home opener, as the Wildcats’ strong at-bats and smart base running made the Gauchos work overtime.
Starting for the Wildcats in the circle was the Southern California native Sarah Haendiges, taking her second start and third appearance of the season for the Wildcats through six games.
Haendiges started it strong, allowing only two runs on four hits in 3.2 innings pitched and with three strikeouts.
McKenzie Oslanzi finished the deal for the Wildcats, going 1.1 innings, which is all she needed after an offensive overload for the Wildcats.
Of the 10 runs scored by the Wildcats, five crossed the plate unearned.
With the help of a four-run top of the second and incredible base running after a throwing error, scoring two, then immediately after, two more to cross the plate after a wild pitch.
Gauchos starting pitcher and former 2025 Big West Pitcher of the Year Malaya Johnson was startled all through her 3.2 innings of work.
The veteran presence of Carly Sleeman, Maddy Clark and Karissa Hamilton helped apply the token pressure on Johnson and into the deeper parts of the game.
Sleeman and Hamilton both tallied multi-hit games, as Hamilton earned her fifth RBI of the season after a first-inning RBI single, getting the party started by making it 1-0 early.
Clark, on the other hand, had only one hit that was a game-changer as she knocked a two-run double over the left fielder’s head.
She would come around to score what eventually would be the game-winning run.
Junior outfielder Emory Donaldson was the star of the show, shining throughout the game, going 3-for-3 at the plate.
It was her second multi-hit game of the season, courtesy of three runs scored and two RBIs.
Both of Donaldson’s RBIs came in the fourth inning after a long home run over the left field wall, which was the first collegiate home run of her career.
Donaldson has quickly earned a spot on the team after playing in 56 games last year and 119 at-bats, only tallying 34 hits.
She has already gotten herself eight hits on the season and has shown it by posting with a .579 average just six games into the season.
Early in the season, Donaldson proved to herself and head coach Rachel Lawson that she had secured the leadoff spot after showing off the training she put in during the offseason.
Donaldson and the Wildcats exploded through pure dominance as they took over UC Santa Barbara and marked back-to-back run-ruling finishes.
