Blum, Hamilton Ignite Offense in 11-7 Win Over No. 13 Stanford
SARATOGA, Calif. – The Kentucky Softball team split its opening day at the Cardinal Classic I on Thursday, knocking off No. 13 Stanford 11-7 and dropping a 6-2 decision to Cal State Fullerton as the Wildcats picked up their first ranked win of the 2026 season in their first opportunity to play a top-25 team on the schedule.
Karissa Hamilton went 3-for-4, just a single shy of the cycle in the second game of the day as she drove in four of Kentucky’s 11 runs and scored three runs of her own in the contest. In the game’s opening day, sophomore second baseman Allie Blum went 3-for-4 at the plate with three extra-base hits as the New Palestine, Indiana native had a home run and a pair of doubles against the Titans.
Kentucky is now 6-2 on the season. Stanford’s loss today was its first of the season and Cal St. Fullerton is 4-3.
Both of the games on Thursday were played at West Valley College’s softball field due to facility issues with the new Stanford Softball Stadium.
Because of those ongoing issues at Stanford, the schedule for the remainder of the weekend’s schedule has been adjusted with Cal Poly no longer attending the event. Kentucky will now play Stanford a second time, with its only game Friday coming at 10:30 p.m. PT and UK will close the event with a game against No. 12 Oregon at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday to close the event. Kentucky’s game on Friday will be at San Jose State University’s softball field with the game against Oregon on Saturday being played at West Valley College, the site of Thursday’s games.
GAME 1 – CAL STATE FULLERTON 6, KENTUCKY 2
Run Recap
Allie Blum hammered a home run in the opening inning to left-center field to give Kentucky the early 1-0 lead over the Titans in the first inning. UK 1, CSF 0
In the top of the third, Kentucky doubled its lead off the bat of Allie Blum yet again, as she hammered a double to the base of the wall to get into scoring position for Peyton Plotts, who drilled a first-pitch offering into center to score Blum and hand UK a 2-0 advantage. UK 2, CSF 0
A ball that was originally called foul down the left-field line was overturned into a three-run home run with two outs for the Titans to make things turn on a dime and give the Titans their first lead. CSF 3, UK 2
Fullerton added two runs in the fourth thanks to an RBI single and a Kentucky error. CSF 5, UK 2
An unearned run crossed for the Titans in the sixth thanks to a pair of UK errors and the Titans held on in the seventh to take the ballgame. FINAL – CSF 6, UK 2
Key Player
Allie Blum was the key player in the game for Kentucky, as she went 3-for-4 at the plate, a home run, two doubles and scoring both of Kentucky’s runs.
Key Moment
The three-run home run for Cal State Fullerton in the bottom of the third inning was the key moment in the game. The ball was originally ruled as a foul ball down the left-field line but after the umpires had a consultation in the middle of the diamond, the call was overturned to a home run. There was no video review since the game was being played at West Valley College due to the ongoing safety issues of the Stanford Softball Stadium and video review logistics could not be worked out.
Key Stat
7. Carson Fall, who started the game for Kentucky in the circle, struck out seven batters. The seven strikeouts is a season high for Fall, who was appearing in her third game for Kentucky this season and earned her second start of the year.
Pitching Recap
Fall went the opening four innings, sending the opening seven Fullerton batters down in order before the Titans scored five times in the next two innings. McKenzie Oslanzi pitched the final two innings of the game, allowing one unearned run on just three hits.
GAME 2 – KENTUCKY 11, #13 STANFORD 7
Run Recap
Kentucky jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Allie Blum singled to left to keep her hot hitting going and Peyton Plotts reached on a fielding error to put two on with two outs. Karissa Hamilton then doubled into the left-center gap to plate a pair, and Hamilton scored on a Carly Sleeman single with two outs. UK 3, STAN 0
In the top of the second, Kentucky had five runs on seven hits in the inning against three different Cardinal pitchers. Maddy Anson doubled to lead off the inning and scored on a throwing error during Emory Donaldson’s at bat. Allie Blum singled on a bunt, Peyton Plotts tripled and Karissa Hamilton tripled to right center to keep the hitting parade going for the Wildcats. Ella Emmert then added to the RBI party on a single down the left-field line to score Maddy Clark and the Wildcats would take an 8-0 lead to the third inning. UK 8, STAN 0
In the bottom of the third inning, A walk and a triple led to two Cardinal runs. UK 8, STAN 2
In the top of the fifth inning, Kentucky scored twice to make things 10-2 in favor of the Wildcats as E. Emmert walked to lead off the inning and pinch runner Reaghan Oney scored on a passed ball. Alexa Riddel then scored as Allie Blum reached on an error and Kentucky was three outs from ending the game. UK 10, STAN 2
Stanford led off the fifth inning with a double and scored twice. UK 10, STAN 4
Karissa Hamilton hot a solo home run in the top of the sixth. UK 11, STAN 4
Stanford scored twice in the sixth and seventh each, but a groundout to Emory Donaldson on the third-base bag in the bottom of the seventh ended the game and Kentucky picked up its first top-25 win of the season with an 11-7 triumph over the Cardinal. FINAL – Kentucky 11, #13 Stanford 7
Key Player
Karissa Hamilton was the key player for Kentucky, as she went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBI and was only a single shy of the cycle. Hamilton also had eight putouts at first base defensively without an error.
Key Moment
Sarah Haendiges’ strikeouts in the sixth inning back-to-back to close the frame was the key moment. The Cardinal loaded the bases in the sixth with nobody out and only managed to get two outs from it as Haendiges shut down the threat with her first two strikeouts of the afternoon.
Key Stat
11. Kentucky had a season-high 11 hits in the game. Stanford also had five errors in the contest.
Pitching Recap
Hailey Nutter moved to 3-0 on the season with a five-inning effort in the circle, only allowing five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Sarah Haendiges then came in and closed the game out with the final six outs.
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