LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Softball team led by powerful pitching of Sarah Haendiges and Hailey Nutter used its core stableholds of pitching and defense to beat Michigan State 10-2 in five innings and Dayton 5-1 on its home opening day of the 2026 season at the John Cropp Classic.
Junior slugger Peyton Plotts powered two home runs Friday, one in each game with Allie Blum also launching a solo blast in the opening day of the day as the Wildcats offense left the yard three times on the afternoon en route to 15 runs scoring for Kentucky on the day.
Kentucky with the pair of wins has now won eight games in a row, a new season-high streak. UK was the only team to finish the day 2-0 at the John Cropp Classic with Murray State finishing 1-0, Dayton 0-1 and Michigan State 0-2. The tournament continues on Saturday with four games at 10 a.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET. The 3 p.m. ET game and 5:30 p.m. ET games will feature UK as it follows the same schedule it did Friday, facing the Spartans at 3 and Flyers at 5:30 p.m.
Kentucky Opens John Cropp Stadium Season With DH Sweep – UK Athletics
Junior slugger Peyton Plotts powered two home runs Friday, one in each game with Allie Blum also launching a solo blast in the opening day of the day as the Wildcats offense left the yard three times on the afternoon en route to 15 runs scoring for Kentucky on the day.
Kentucky with the pair of wins has now won eight games in a row, a new season-high streak. UK was the only team to finish the day 2-0 at the John Cropp Classic with Murray State finishing 1-0, Dayton 0-1 and Michigan State 0-2. The tournament continues on Saturday with four games at 10 a.m. ET, 12:30 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET and 5:30 p.m. ET. The 3 p.m. ET game and 5:30 p.m. ET games will feature UK as it follows the same schedule it did Friday, facing the Spartans at 3 and Flyers at 5:30 p.m.
Kentucky Opens John Cropp Stadium Season With DH Sweep – UK Athletics