RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University softball team is set for a midweek clash as the Kentucky Wildcats make the short trip from Lexington to Gertrude Hood Field on Wednesday evening.

The Colonels (32-12, 13-4 ASUN) come into the game following a series win over Austin Peay, extending their lead at the top of the Gold Division to 2.5 games.

The team is 1-3 on the year against Power Four opponents, opening the season with a win over Georgia Tech but falling in game two to the Yellow Jackets and dropping matchups against Louisville and No. 7 Tennessee. The Wildcats lead the series 30-7 over the Colonels and took the last meeting between the two teams in Richmond with a seventh-inning rally, 10-7.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 PM with a ceremonial first pitch ten minutes before the start of the game. The game will also play host to Greek Night with raffle prizes, mini games, and more throughout the evening.

Broadcast for the game will be available on ESPN+ with live stats also available on StatBroadcast.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS

The Wildcats (27-20, 6-12 SEC) come to Richmond after being swept in SEC play by No. 12 South Carolina. Kentucky has dropped seven consecutive conference matchups but carries a five-game win streak in nonconference contests, topping Western Kentucky 9-1 in six innings in their last non-SEC game.

Sarah Haendiges leads the Wildcats in the circle, tallying 28 appearances and leading the pitching staff in ERA (2.33), wins (9), strikeouts (81), and opponent batting average (.219). Carson Fall has made the most starts for UK with 12 while Alexia Lacatena has racked up the most shutouts at three.

In the batter's box, Peyton Plotts and Allie Blum bring the highest batting average to the team with both at .333. McKenzie Bump and Ally Hutchins are the two other Wildcats above .300 at .325 and .312, respectively. Plotts leads the team in most offensive categories, including RBIs (42), slugging percentage (.674), home runs (11), and extra-base hits (14).

LAST TIME OUT

The Colonels outlasted Austin Peay in a battle of the top ASUN Gold Division teams, winning their sixth straight conference series, 2-1.

The Govs struck first, taking a game one that went to extra innings, 4-1 in the eighth. The Colonels bounced back with a strong response, run ruling the Govs in game two, 11-3 in five innings.

In a rubber match with potentially division-deciding implications, the Colonels trailed 1-3 but put together an electric rally to take the lead and the win, 6-4. With two outs in the fifth inning, the Colonels plated five runs, capped off by a three-run shot by Lilly Davis - her second home run of the season.

Maddi Rutan pitched two complete games on the weekend, totaling 15.0 innings pitched and amassing 25 strikeouts across games one and three. Victoria Byrum also picked up the win in game two, striking out three Govs to move to 11-2 on the season.