DAYTON - The University of Dayton softball team will head to Lexington Wednesday to take on 16th-ranked Kentucky. First pitch between the Flyers and the Wildcats is set for 5 p.m. at UK's John Cropp Stadium. Fans will be able to follow the action via stream on SEC Network+ and live stats updates on Statbroadcast.com.

ABOUT DAYTON
Dayton (6-8) is coming off a 1-3 weekend at Eastern Kentucky's Colonel Classic capped off by a 6-2 win over Indiana State on Saturday. Dayton's first game against ISU was cancelled due to inclement weather. The Flyers' offense is paced by sophomore Emma Schutter with a .455 average (1st A-10), 20 hits (2nd A-10) and nine runs scored (7th A-10) while senior Emily Daniel (.400 - 7th A-10) has chipped in 14 hits and is 10-for-11 in stolen bases (1st A-10). In the circle, freshman Izzy Kemp carries the team's low ERA of 1.50 (3rd A-10), holds opponents to a .172 batting average (1st A-10) and has collected 50 strikeouts (2nd A-10) over 32.2 innings of work.

SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Kentucky (12-5-1) was an even 2-2 last weekend at then-No. 1 Oklahoma's home-opening tournament in Norman, Okla., March 3-5. The Wildcats have an unusual tie in their record this season - Kentucky's game against Texas ended at 4-4 after reaching the drop-dead time limit due to travel schedules for both teams. Kayla Kowalik (.393) is one of four everyday starters for the Wildcats hitting above .340 and she leads the team with 24 hits to go with 12 runs scored. Erin Coffel (.341) has collected 19 RBI on 15 hits, including seven home runs, while scoring 15 runs. UK's pitching corps is paced by Stephanie Schoonover (7-1) with a 1.73 ERA over 60.2 innings pitched while tallying 92 strikeouts.

SERIES STUFF
Kentucky Leads, 8-3
Last Meeting: 3/20/21
The last time the Flyers and Wildcats squared off was March 20, 2021 in a doubleheader hosted by Kentucky at John Cropp Stadium. UK claimed wins in both games, both by a 3-1 margin.

RPI RANKINGS
In the NCAA's Rating Percentage Index (RPI) for games through March 6, Dayton came in at 150 according to NCAA.com. Kentucky was ranked 25th.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
As a team, Dayton was 63-for-74 in stolen bases as a team in 2022 - the 63 stolen bases ranked second in the Atlantic 10. After 14 games in 2023, the Flyers are 26-for-30 in stolen bases led by senior Emily Daniel (10-for-11, 1st A-10) and sophomore Emma Schutter (8-for-8, 3rd A-10). The 26 team stolen bases on the season ranks second in the Atlantic 10.

THREE STRIKES YOU'RE OUT
Over 32.2 innings pitched in nine appearances for the Flyers, freshman right-handed pitcher Izzy Kemp currently ranks second in the Atlantic 10 with 50 total strikeouts and first in the league with 17 batters struck out looking. Her average of 10.7 strikeouts per seven innings ranks seventh in all of Division I.

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