UK improves to 2-0 on the season

Miami, Fla. — The Kentucky softball team rallied from behind to beat Florida International 3-2 Saturday in the Fun and Sun Classic in Miami, Fla. After beating the Golden Panthers, play was halted for the second consecutive day in UK’s game vs. Illinois State due to inclement weather in the area.

The Cats resumed suspended action from Friday night with FIU in the bottom of the third. Neither team garnered a hit in the game until the fifth inning, when the Golden Panthers’ Jackie Vetters singled up the middle, scoring Lindsay Tippings from second. The host school held onto the one-run advantage until the bottom of the seventh, when Emily Marks led the Kentucky rally by reaching first after an error from FIU’s shortstop. Jessica Nance followed by bringing pinch runner Lori Melchi home with an RBI single, sending the game to extra innings.

The Golden Panthers answered with a run in the eighth, but UK once again rallied in their half of the inning. With two outs, freshman Brooke Marnitz doubled the to the wall in right field to score Amber Janneck and a single up the middle from pitcher Amy Kendall brought home Marnitz for the game-winning run.

Kendall earned her second win of the season in the complete game victory, giving up only four hits and one earned run while fanning four batters. Nance finished the game 2-of-3 at the plate with two singles.

The win marked the first time in UK softball history that the Cats have began the season 2-0. UK is now 3-0 all-time against FIU.

UK will resume action tomorrow at 10 a.m. down 1-0 to Illinois State in the bottom of the third. The Cats’ match-up with Auburn scheduled for today has been cancelled.