Kentucky’s softball team secured an 8-0 victory over Minnesota in five innings on Sunday at the Aztec Season Kick-Off tournament in San Diego. Freshman Maddy Anson hit a three-run home run in the second inning, marking her first career homer and giving Kentucky an early lead.
Freshman pitcher Hailey Nutter delivered another strong performance, allowing only two hits over five innings and striking out eight batters. Nutter began her collegiate career with 10.2 consecutive hitless innings before Minnesota recorded its first hit against her in the fourth inning.
Eight of Kentucky’s nine starting players collected hits during the game, as the Wildcats outhit Minnesota 9-2. Peyton Plotts contributed by going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring twice.
With this win, Kentucky improved to a 4-1 record for the season and finished as champions of the Aztec Season Kick-Off tournament. Other teams’ records included San Diego State at 3-1, Miami (OH) at 4-1, Minnesota at 2-3, and Loyola-Chicago finishing without a win.
Kentucky will continue its west coast road trip with a game against UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday before facing Stanford, Oregon, Cal St. Fullerton, and Cal Poly later in the week.
Rachel Lawson is head coach of Kentucky Wildcats Women’s Softball.
For updates on UK Softball, fans can follow @UKSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
