During Sunday’s NCAA Softball Selection Show, UK softball received a No. 9 seed. The seeding was UK’s highest ever and comes with the added benefit of hosting the regional this weekend in Lexington, Kentucky at John Cropp Stadium.

The double-elimination regional will start Friday as UK hosts the Utah Utes, Illinois Fighting Illini and Butler Bulldogs.

UK has met only Utah this season, winning the two team only matchup in walk-off fashion in the seventh inning during the Kajikawa Classic in Phoenix, Arizona. 

The first matchup on Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET will consist of Utah and Illinois playing each other. The Cats follow in game two as they take on Butler at 6:00 p.m. ET for the right to move on.