May 1, 2002

The University of Kentucky softball team will close out the 2002 season with a three-game, Southeastern Conference series against Arkansas on Thursday and Friday, May 2 and 3 at the UK Softball Complex. The Wildcats and Lady’Backs will play a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. EDT on Thursday and then a single game on Friday starting at 2 p.m. ET. The Wildcats will pay tribute to five seniors – Angie Dal Pozzo, Sandi Dengler, Andy Eilertson, Beth Fogle and Jennifer Howland – prior to the game on Friday.

The five seniors all have put many hours and much effort into laying the foundation and building the program from the ground up. The seniors represent just the second class to have played an entire four years in the Bluegrass and were an integral part of the 2000 SEC Eastern Division championship team.

Dal Pozzo leaves Lexington as one of the most prolific offensive players in UK history. Entering this weekend’s game, she ranks second in career walks (50), third in career hits (197), RBI (103), doubles (38), triples (10) and home runs (9) while playing in 231 out of a possible 246 games.

“Angie has been a warrior at UK for four years, battling back from repeated injuries to play with incredible vigor,” UK Coach Beth Kirchner said. “Her hard work at practices have been an example to all.”

As one of the team captains, Dengler has seen her role increase this season, playing in 41 games entering this weekend, the most action she has seen since her freshman year. Currently carrying a career-high .220 batting average, she has proven to be one of the most valuable players on this season’s squad.

“Sandi has really shown the value of hard work and determination and has concluded her senior year by having her best year ever,” Kirchner said. “All of her hard work has paid off for both her and us.”

Eilertson departs UK as one of the most durable Cats. Out of a possible 246 games, Eilertson has seen action in all but 10 of those contests. This season she has come alive as an offensive threat, belting a career-high seven home runs and driving in 37 runs, both of which rank among the top-10 single-season marks at UK.

“Andy has really blossomed into quite a threat offensively this year,” Kirchner said. “Her four-year investment into this program has been positive and helped this program.”

A team captain this season, Fogle leaves Lexington with 72 stolen bases and a career batting average of .302. Her 110 career runs scored ranks second all-time at UK, while her 183 career hits is the fifth highest total in UK history.

“Beth has really grown in four years as a UK athlete to the point where she is one of the leading offensive and defensive players in the conference,” Kirchner said.

Howland has been one of the most versatile athletes to call the Kentucky dugout home. Entering this weekend’s game, she has thrown 509.2 innings from the pitching circle while also carrying a .251 career batting average in 586 at bats, having played every position during her career. A four-year starter, she leaves the Bluegrass having struck out the second most hitters in UK history.

“Jen has been a blessing to this program, playing whatever position we have asked,” Kirchner said. “She puts the team first and that is a legacy she can leave with the underclassmen.”

The seniors will be honored in a ceremony set to start 10 minutes prior to the first pitch on Friday.

All game can be followed live on the internet at www.UKathletics.com.

-UK-