Lacatena and Donaldson Deliver Clutch Opening Day Performances
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Alexia Lacatena began her 2025 season with a complete-game shutout in the circle and Emory Donaldson went 5-for-6 overall on the day as the Kentucky Softball team defeated Pittsburgh 7-0 and Notre Dame 12-4 in five innings on opening day at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic.
In game one, Lacatena shined with a complete-game shutout going the distance on just 79 pitches, allowing no runs on four hits with three strikeouts. The complete-game shutout for Lacatena is the third of her career, but first since the 2023 season as the Stanhope, N.J., native earned the opening victory on the year for the Wildcats as UK shutout the Panthers to start the season.
In game two, it was Emory Donaldson who shined for Kentucky in addition to several others, as the sophomore Kentucky Kid from Louisville went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of RBI in the contest. That performance came on the heels of a 2-for-2 game against Pitt as she went 5-for-6 overall on the day to lead UK past the Fighting Irish alongside pitchers Sydney Langdon and Sarah Haendiges who combined to shutdown the Irish on the afternoon.
2025 now marks the sixth-straight season that Kentucky has started 2-0 under 18th-year head coach Rachel Lawson. The 7-0 win for UK against Pittsburgh was the third-largest shutout win in a season opener in program history (2004, 2011) and in UK’S last five seasons, Kentucky has outscored its opposition 87-18 in the first two games of the year. Friday marked the fourth time in program history that Kentucky has scored 7+ runs in both of its first two games of the season, joining the 2007, 2009 and 2023 teams.
UK will next play at Noon and 3 p.m. ET on Saturday in the third day of the 2025 NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Clearwater, Florida. The Wildcats will face Morgan State at Noon ET on Saturday before a 3 p.m. ET matchup against Southern Mississippi to close out the doubleheader. Both games will have live stats available at UKathletics.com, as well as a free live stream through GameChanger.
GAME 1 – KENTUCKY 7, PITTSBURGH 0
Key Play
Emory Donaldson’s two run triple for her first-career hit in the bottom of the second inning.
Key Player
Alexia Lacatena went 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits, walking none and striking out three.
Super Stat
- Kentucky had five different players record a hit in the contest.
Run Recap
Emory Donaldson logged her first-career hit with a two-run triple down the left-field line to score Peyton Plotts and Cassie Reasner. Donaldson scored on a passed ball and Hallie Mitchell drove in a run earlier in the inning to make things 4-0 after two. UK 4, PITT 0
In the bottom of the fifth, Allie Blum became the first freshman since Alex Martens to hit a home run in her collegiate debut in 2017 as she slammed one out to center. UK 5, PITT 0
Emory Donaldson scored on a wild pitch and Karissa Hamilton launched a pinch-hit double to score a run as Kentucky took game one, 7-0. FINAL – Kentucky 7, Pittsburgh 0
GAME 2 – Kentucky 12, Notre Dame 4
Key Play
Allie Blum’s two-run single up the middle in the first inning made things 8-2 in favor of Kentucky as UK responded well after giving up a two-spot in the top of the first.
Key Player
Emory Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs in the contest.
Key Stat
- Kentucky put up an eight spot in the first inning.
Run Recap
Notre Dame used two UK errors in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. ND 2, UK 0
In the bottom of the first, Kentucky sent 13 batters to the plate, scoring eight runs on seven huts and going through two ND pitchers. McKenzie Bump singled in Ally Hutchins who led off the frame with a double. Cassie Reasner then doubled down the line in left to score a run and a walk and hit by pitch with the bases loaded made things 5-2. Donaldson roped a single into left to score a run and Blum in her second AB of the inning floated a single to score two into center. UK 8, ND 2
Ally Hutchins put up a two spot in the second inning on a two-run single up the middle. UK 10, ND 2
A pair of walks scored two Fighting Irish runs in the top of the fourth to take the run rule provisionally off the board. UK 10, ND 4
Kentucky got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk to Lauryn Borzilleri. UK 11, ND 4
In the bottom of the fifth, Emory Donaldson walked off the game with a single into shallow right center with the bases loaded and nobody out. FINAL – Kentucky 12, Notre Dame 4 (F/5)
The Kentucky Softball Designated Players Club
The Designated Players is the Official Booster Program of Kentucky Softball. Financial contributions and community support through The Designated Players program, Kentucky Softball will be able to continue to develop our student-athletes on and off the field. To join The Designated Players, you can join online or click here to download the membership form and mail to the address listed. For more information, email Kristine Himes at kentuckysoftball@uky.edu or Larry Cash at Larry.Cash@uky.edu.
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