Kentucky softball (8-4) defeated North Carolina A&T (4-8)  5-0 in its first game of the Blue City invitational in Memphis, Tennessee, thanks to a great pitching performance by Sarah Haendiges.

Haendiges delivered one of the Wildcats’ most impressive outings of the season, tossing a complete-game shutout. She worked all seven innings, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out 12 batters. 

Kentucky has had some great pitching performances this year, as this game marked the third shutout of the season. The one-two punch of Haendiges and freshman Hailey Nutter could be one of the best Kentucky has seen in a while.

From the very first inning, the senior was in control. She retired the side in order to open the game, recording two strikeouts. She followed that up with another perfect inning in the second, again keeping North Carolina A&T off balance, totaling four strikeouts in the first two innings alone.

While Haendiges was dealing, Kentucky’s offense took a couple of innings to break through. In the top of the third, Alexa Riddel sparked the offense with a leadoff double, putting Kentucky in scoring position for the first time. The Wildcats capitalized shortly after when Maddy Anson delivered a sacrifice fly to bring Riddel home and give Kentucky a 1-0 lead.

The Aggies got their first hit in the third, but a runner was thrown out at third to end the inning.

Kentucky added to its advantage in the fourth inning when Peyton Plotts launched a solo home run to right-center field. The long ball extended the lead to 2-0 and provided additional breathing room for Haendiges, who continued to cruise through the Aggie lineup with little to no trouble. 

In the fifth inning, Anson added to her strong performance at the plate with a solo home run of her own. Already responsible for Kentucky’s first run, hitting a sacrifice fly in the first, Anson’s home run in the fifth just added another insurance run for Haendiges

Kentucky had its most productive offensive inning in the sixth, really putting the game out of reach when it added to its lead, scoring two runs on three hits and two walks, building a 5-0 cushion. 

Plotts started the inning with an infield single and stole second base, showing she can do it with power and speed. Karissa Hamilton singled up the middle, driving in Plotts, making the lead 3-0. Riddel added to the double she had in the third, getting another single to keep the rally going. Katie Hirschy drove in Hamilton with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving The Cats a 5-0 lead.

Going back to the circle in the sixth inning, Haendiges was already up to 10 strikeouts as she picked up two more in the sixth and the seventh, completing the complete game shutout.

With the win, Kentucky improved to 8-4 on the season. If Haendiges’ performance is any indication, Kentucky’s pitching staff will remain a major strength of this team.