Clemson wins regional, ends Kentucky’s season

The Wildcats close out the 2025 season with a 31-28 record, marking the 16th-straight season Rachel Lawson has not only guided the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament, but the 30-win mark – making her one of just a handful of active head coaches to have 30+ wins to her name each of the last 16 seasons.

Sunday marked the final game for seniors Alexia Lacatena, Hallie Mitchell and McKenzie Bump, all of whom have graduated from the University of Kentucky. They end their careers in the Blue and White with over 100 wins, two NCAA Regional Final appearances and numerous other memories as a Wildcat.

Clemson struck first in the top of the third inning on a double to deep center with a runner on second base to score the game’s opening run. After UK missed out on a chance in the second inning with runners on second and third, CU rallied to hit a two-run bomb in the fourth inning and added another on a double into right.

Kentucky’s run came in the bottom of the sixth inning as Peyton Plotts scored thanks to a Clemson throwing error after Cassie Reasner reached on an infield single on the play and took second on the arrant throw. The Tigers tacked on an insurance run in the seventh as they loaded the bases with no outs and scored on an RBI groundout to the left side.

With the win, Clemson advances to the NCAA Super Regionals, where it will play No. 6 Texas in Austin for a three-game series in an ACC vs. SEC match-up for a spot in the 2025 Women’s College World Series.

Key Play

Clemson’s Taylor Pipkins hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to make the lead for the Tigers 3-0 after it was just 1-0.

Key Player

Kentucky’s key player in the game was Peyton Plotts, who went 2-for-3 in the game, while also scoring the lone run for UK in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Super Stat

3. This was the first time in the last three years that Kentucky advanced to the NCAA Regional Final.

Run Recap

A one-out RBI double in the top of the third inning gave Clemson the early lead. CU 1, UK 0

After the lead-off reached via a walk in the fourth, Clemson’s Taylor Pipkins hit a two-run homer to make the lead three, followed by an RBI double. CU 3, UK 0

Kentucky scored its run in the sixth inning as Peyton Plotts scored on an error. CU 4, UK 1

Clemson added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI groundout. FINAL – Clemson 5, 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.