Kentucky softball (14-4) opened the John Cropp Classic with a doubleheader sweep of Michigan State (8-7) and Dayton (7-2).
Kentucky defeated Michigan State 10-2 in six innings, triggering an eight-run mercy rule, followed by a 5-1 victory over Dayton to complete a perfect start to their home opener.
While freshman pitcher Hailey Nutter continued her strong run of two no-hitters this month with a complete-game performance against Dayton, the day ultimately belonged to second baseman Allie Blum and right fielder Peyton Plotts.
The duo powered Kentucky at the plate in both games, continuing its offensive dominance from the early portion of the season.
“They were great for us last year, and the fact they’ve continued to take that into this year, they really are leading us, and they’re giving us time for the younger players to be able to figure out the game,” head coach Rachel Lawson said.
Blum and Plotts got to work early in the first game against Michigan State. After the Wildcats gave up one run in the top of the first, Blum singled in the bottom of the inning, and Potts homered to put Kentucky ahead 2-1. Kentucky added to its lead when the Spartans walked in a run that same inning and Madyson Clark hit an RBI single, knocking in Carly Sleeman.
“I love having Peyton [Plotts] behind me,” Plum said. “I always know that if I get on base, there’s about a 99% chance that she’s gonna score me, so it’s always a really good feeling.”
After Kentucky’s big first inning, Blum delivered again to open the second. The second baseman launched a solo home run to center field, extending the Wildcats’ lead to 5-1.
Kentucky stayed hot in the third, scoring quickly to make it 6-1 and bringing the duo back to the plate.
Blum was then hit by a pitch, and Plotts’ RBI single pushed the lead to 7-1.
After two scoreless innings, the Spartans struck in the sixth when Lindsey Hooker drove in Britain Beshears to make it 7-2, but two strikeouts ended the threat.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kentucky needed two runs to secure the run-rule victory. Ella Emmert scored Sleeman, and Emory Donaldson drove in Emmert to close out the 10-2 win.
Kentucky then faced off with Dayton in their second game of the day. The Flyers scored first, but it would be the only run Nutter allowed.
In the bottom of the inning, Plotts continued her hot streak, hitting her second home run of the day to tie the game 1-1.
After three scoreless innings, Kentucky broke through in the bottom of the fifth when Sleeman doubled down the left-field line to score a run. Blum continued her productive day by putting the ball in play to drive in another run, even though she was thrown out at first. Clark followed with a double to score the third run of the inning, giving Kentucky a 4-1 lead.
Blum added to her standout performance in the sixth, hustling out a ground ball and reaching on an error that pushed the score to 5-1.
Nutter closed the game with another scoreless inning to secure the victory.
“When the pitching is pitching, well, it changed the whole aspect of the game,” Blum said. “Because we know that we can trust them, and they know that they can trust us.”
On the day, Plotts and Blum combined for three home runs, six hits and eight RBIs, accounting for more than half of Kentucky’s 15 total runs.
Blum also added two stolen bases, showcasing her all-around impact.
Plotts now has seven home runs this season. With 37 games remaining, she is on pace for 21 home runs, which would tie Kentucky’s single-season record.
Blum raised her batting average to .421, which would put her in the top 10 single-season batting leaders in program history.
It is still early in the season, and conference play is looming but with the way the duo is producing and Kentucky’s steady pitching performances, Wildcats fans have a reason to be excited.
“Overall, we’re in a pretty good place. Obviously, there’s things to work on and to get better at, but we have a pretty good baseline going on right now,” Lawson said.
The Wildcats return to action in the John Cropp Classic at home on Saturday, Feb. 28 against Michigan State at 3 p.m. and Dayton at 5:30 p.m.
