The Kentucky Wildcats softball team achieved a program-record 25 hits in a dramatic 12-8, ten-inning victory over No. 25 Louisville on April 22 at Ulmer Stadium.
The game was notable for Kentucky’s comeback after trailing by five runs early, overcoming defensive errors that allowed six unearned runs for the Cardinals in the first two innings. The Wildcats steadily reduced the deficit, scoring across multiple innings and tying the game late to force extra innings.
Senior Maddy Clark led Kentucky’s offense with four hits in six at-bats, including a crucial double that tied the game in the sixth inning. Every player in Kentucky’s lineup recorded at least one hit, and nine players had two or more hits each. The team’s previous single-game hit record of 22 was set against UC Santa Barbara in February 2022.
Pitcher Sarah Haendiges closed out the final 3.2 innings for her eleventh win of the season, allowing only three hits during her appearance. Alexa Riddel also played a key role by hitting her second home run of the season to tie the game in the seventh inning—her other home run this year also came against Louisville.
This contest marked several milestones: it was both teams’ second consecutive meeting to go into extra innings and represented Louisville’s first loss this season when leading after six innings. With this result, Kentucky improved its record to 26-25 while Louisville dropped to 38-10.
Looking ahead, Kentucky will host No. 4 Texas Longhorns for their regular-season finale at John Cropp Stadium starting Friday night on SEC Network. Senior Day will be celebrated Saturday as UK honors seniors Maddy Clark, Karissa Hamilton, Ella Emmert and Sarah Haendiges.
