Kentucky softball (12-4) cruised to an 11-0 victory over Northern Illinois (4-4) in game two of the Blues City Invitational, fueled by an explosive eight-run fifth inning.
A double and a triple by first baseman Karissa Hamilton during that fifth inning capped the second cycle in program history and the first since Angie Dal Pozzo did it in 2001.
Dal Pozzo was the first Wildcat to hit for the cycle, doing so as a junior on March 9, 2001, in a 12-7 victory over Akron. Dal Pozzo was part of Kentucky’s third-ever recruiting class after the softball program was founded in 1997.
Hamilton was a name to watch entering the season due to her transition from behind the plate to first base in response to Lauryn Borilleri’s injury, which will keep her out for the entire 2026 season.
The senior has transitioned to first base well, while also continuing to produce and thrive at the plate like she always has for the Cats.
Hamilton has been a consistent starter for the Cats in the last two seasons, starting over 40 games and recording over 100 at-bats in each season. She hit .278 last season, the best average of her career until this season.
Her first inning home run against the Huskies was her third of the season, which tied her for the team lead before Peyton Plotts hit her fourth of the year during the fifth inning.
Hamilton’s ability to leave the yard is not the only thing she brings to the plate; however, she has brought consistency this season that is hard to ignore. Her 4-4 game against Northern Illinois raised her batting average to .476, which leads the team by .135.
Not only does Hamilton lead the team in almost every single offensive stat, but she has now put herself in position to compete for the top of the SEC in those same statistics.
“She has the knack of coming up with some really big hits in some key moments,” head coach Rachel Lawson said.
Hamilton’s ability to come up with big hits with runners in scoring position is why she has found herself bouncing between third and fourth in the lineup after starting the season further down. Hitting toward the top and having more opportunities with runners on base has led to Hamilton averaging an RBI a game.
Her four-hit game against Northern Illinois notched the third game this season where she recorded three or more hits, and seven or more total bases in the 13 games played.
Hamilton’s career day at the plate was backed up by another stellar performance by freshman Hailey Nutter in the circle, who recorded six strikeouts, allowing three hits, one walk and no runs in five innings. Nutter is now 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA in her seven appearances on the year.
Ella Emmert also contributed to the Cats’ efforts in the victory, going 1-1 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt. Her lone hit was a two-run home run in the fifth inning, the first home run of her five-year collegiate career.
