Reasner and Haendiges Thwart Colonels, Kentucky Wins 5-1
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Kentucky Softball team clinched NCAA Tournament eligibility Wednesday night with a 5-1 midweek win over the Eastern Kentucky Colonels behind five strong innings from Sarah Haendiges and a two-hit game from sophomore shortstop Cassie Reasner.
The first four innings flew by with only three hits between the two teams through the opening four frames before the Wildcats struck for three RBI hits in the top of the fifth to break the game open and then added a single run in the sixth and the seventh to close the scoring on the night.
Haendiges picked up her 10th win of the season in the circle Wednesday night, as her record is now 10-5 with an ERA that lowered to 2.23 on the year. The Upland, California native had four strikeouts including a game-changing K in the bottom of the fifth inning with the bases loaded and two outs for EKU. The Colonels registered five hits in the game.
Carson Fall collected her second save of the season Wednesday as she pitched the final two innings in scoreless fashion with only two baserunners reaching, both on walks with two outs. Fall got four flyball outs, all to the infield and two groundouts, including a nice play by Cassie Reasner in the bottom of the seventh to record the second out. Fall threw 32 pitches with 17 recorded as strikes.
Kentucky is now 28-20 on the season and with seven regular-season games plus a guaranteed game in the SEC Tournament, the Wildcats are now assured eligibility for the 2025 NCAA Tournament, as teams must be .500 who are not automatic qualifiers. The Wildcats will next play Mississippi State at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network with Alex Perlman and Carol Bruggeman on the call from John Cropp Stadium.
Friday’s game vs. No. 16 Mississippi State is the kickoff to Senior Weekend in Lexington with tickets available at UKathletics.com.
Key Play
Maddy Clark’s RBI single in the top of the fifth inning to break the 0-0 tie was the key play in the game.
Key Player
Cassie Reasner was the key player in the game, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and two terrific plays defensively at shortstop.
Super Stat
- This is the 17th-straight season Kentucky has clinched NCAA Tournament eligibility under Rachel Lawson.
Run Recap
Kentucky put up a three spot in the top of the fifth, breaking a 0-0 tie with RBI plays from Maddy Clark, Allie Blum and Peyton Plotts. UK 3, EKU 0
Emory Donaldson hammered a ball to deep center to score Maddy Clark from third with one out on a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth. UK 4, EKU 1
In the top of the seventh, Peyton Plotts launched a second-pitch offering over the wall in right center for her 12th home run of the year. FINAL – Kentucky 5, Eastern Kentucky 1
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.
For the latest on UK Softball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSoftball.
