Kentucky softball (19-6, 1-2 SEC) started 2026 SEC play by dropping a road series to Auburn (19-7, 2-1 SEC) after winning game one and losing both ends of a doubleheader.
Game One-
Kentucky softball entered the game on a 12-game winning streak, started conference play against a solid Auburn Tigers program, winning game one 8-3.
The Wildcats, who won every game in the John Crop Classic, have made a consistent impact offensively and defensively. Since their loss against No. 15 Oregon on Feb. 14, they have held their opponents to 13 runs in 13 games including this game against Auburn.
The pitching rotation has been stellar to say the least. Freshman Hailey Nutter previously pitched a no-hitter against Indiana State, which is just another building block for head coach Rachel Lawson’s blueprint for success.
Sarah Haendiges picked up her seventh win against Auburn, pitching four innings, striking out two and allowing only three runs off four hits. Nutter came in to pitch the rest of the game and shut the door. Nutter kept the Tigers hitless and struck out four Auburn batters.
Offensively, there was no doubt that the Wildcats would take care of business. Seven out of the nine Wildcat batters in the lineup recorded a hit during the game. Right fielder Peyton Plotts has recently been ranked No. 18 in top position power rankings by Softball America.
Plotts has gotten back on track tallying two RBIs and a hit reinforcing her presence on the diamond. Second baseman Allie Blum also was an impactful player in the first game of the series. Blum, who has been consistent lately, recorded two hits and stole a base in the first inning.
While the Wildcats have had great success on both sides of the ball, errors have been occurring lately. Auburn and Kentucky combined for four errors. With a competitive conference schedule looming, errors are going to be costly and not ideal in important games.
Kentucky has been off to an outstanding start, and while getting its first win in conference play on the road, it gives them more momentum to build off for the second game and reinforces the resilient mindset.
Game Two:
Kentucky softball lost the first game of its doubleheader 6-2 against Auburn 18-7.
The first game of the doubleheader featured a complete opposite performance from the opening game between these two teams. While carrying momentum from the previous game, the Wildcats performance had similar actions from their last loss which was three weeks ago against No. 15 Oregon in the Stanford Invitational.
The Wildcats had an early lead in the first inning with an RBI single by Karissa Hamilton but did not lead again.
Kentucky pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi struggled in her four innings in the circle. Prior to this game, she had been solid against opponents such as IU Indy, Bradley and Michigan St.
Throughout the game, the Wildcats had many golden opportunities to cash in on runs. Kentucky left nine runners on base, which is uncommon for the Wildcats talented lineup with RISP.
Fielding was a small, but costly reason for the loss for Kentucky. Maddy Clark recorded a throwing error at the bottom of the first, which resulted in the first two runs for Auburn.
Auburn’s talent was showcased all game long especially from pitcher SJ Geurin who held ground for the tigers. The junior from Leander, Tx. pitched a complete game while holding Kentucky to five hits.
The Tigers offense was on fire all game, giving the home crowd a show. Specifically the infielders for Auburn gave Oslanzi a difficult time all game. Alyssa Hastings and Delaney Aumua were the difference makers. Hastings went 2-4 with an RBI, while Aumua went a perfect 3-3 at the plate, adding to Auburn’s 10 hits in the contest.
Game three:
Kentucky softball fell to Auburn 6-5 in a 13-inning game three to drop the series.
The Wildcats were hoping to bounce back against Auburn later in the day but fell once more.
The game remained scoreless through the first inning before both teams scored in the second. Senior Clark opened the scoring for Kentucky in the top of the inning. Scoring on an RBI single by Carly Sleeman. Auburn responded with an RBI of its own later in the inning, tying the game at 1-1 heading into the third.
After both teams scored in the second inning, the third remained scoreless before Kentucky briefly took the lead in the fourth.
Auburn quickly answered, scoring three runs in the inning with an RBI double followed by a two-run home run to take a 4-2 lead.
Sleeman drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the fifth to bring the Wildcats within one run. Auburn responded again in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI single up the middle, extending its lead to 5-3 heading into the sixth.
The sixth inning remained scoreless before Kentucky found momentum in the seventh. Senior Hamilton and Sleeman each hit solo home runs to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
Both teams were held scoreless from the eighth through the 12th inning before Auburn secured the win in the 13th with an RBI single, ending the game 6-5.
Sleeman delivered a standout performance throughout the weekend series in Auburn, scoring multiple times through the weekend.
