Feb. 18, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After a strong opening start to the 2010 campaign last week at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., the Kentucky softball team is back on the road for its second tournament in as many weeks beginning Friday. The Blue and White will hit the field in Boca Raton, Fla., for Florida Atlantic’s Kickoff Classic.
The Wildcats began the 2010 season much like it has in each of the previous two seasons under Rachel Lawson UK began the year with a win. The Blue and White knocked off No. 5 Arizona State on their home turf to begin the season. Three Kentucky players, Brittany Cervantes, Molly Johnson and Annie Rowlands all charted home runs in the offensive effort while sophomore pitcher Chanda Bell struck out 14 in the win. The Wildcats would then go on to earn wins over Cal State Fullerton and Western Michigan.
Cervantes captured SEC Player of the Week honors for her efforts at the tournament. The sophomore led the Blue and White with a .429 batting average and three home runs. Her two round trippers in the win over Western Michigan was a first in her career, and it marked the first time a UK player hit two long balls in a single outing since 2006.
The first matchup of the Kickoff Classic in Boca Raton this weekend will be against Maryland on Friday afternoon. The game will mark the first game of the season for Maryland. The Terps and Kentucky met once last season with the Blue and White earning a 10-1 victory. Maryland returns six starters and two pitchers from last season’s roster.
Kentucky will next take on the host Florida Atlantic Owls in the nightcap on Friday. The Owls opened their 2010 campaign in Clermont, Fla., last weekend taking on Oklahoma, Georgia, UCLA and Chattanooga and going 0-4 on the weekend. Jessica Myers leads the offense with a .375 average with three starts.
On Saturday, UK begins the day with a meeting against Pittsburgh. The matchup with the Panthers will mark the first time in school history the teams will meet on the diamond. Pitt will begin its 2010 season on Friday night with games against Ole Miss and Minnesota. The Panthers return seven starters and all three pitchers from 2009’s squad.
UK’s final opponent of the weekend is the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The Gophers went 3-3 on opening weekend last week with wins. Heidi Carls charted six hits and brought in five runs last week to pace the offense. In the circle, Lacey Middlebrooks earned all three victories for Minnesota and charts a 2.04 ERA.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information regarding the Kentucky softball team.
