April 22, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky softball team scored four runs in the bottom ofthe seventh inning as the Cats rallied to defeat Florida, 9-8, in thesecond game of the doubleheader on Saturday at the UK Softball Complex. TheCats, who hit three home runs on the day, defeated the Gators for the firsttime in school history with a 4-0 victory in the opener, as UK strengthenedits lead in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.

Freshman Lyndsey Angus had a big day for the Cats, going 4-for-6 at theplate with three singles and a two-run homer. Angus, a native ofLeominster, Mass., also scored three runs, while UK pitcher Keary Camunaspicked up the victory in both contests.

UK (29-22, 10-8 SEC) fell behind 3-0, after the Gators roughed up UKstarter Morgan Marr in the first two innings of the second game.

However, the Cats came back with a big third inning, scoring five runs onsix hits. Nikki Jones tripled to left center and scored on a throwing errorby UF right fielder Ashley Boone. Beth Fogle followed with a bunt single tothird. Angus then blasted a two-run shot to left field off UF startingpitcher Renise Landry. The bleeding didn’t stop for the Gators, as LeslieKwiatkowski and Tiffany Kruse recorded back-to-back singles for the Cats.Freshman Jamie Dardis singled to right, scoring Kwiatkowski and Kruse togive UK a 5-2 lead.

UF (37-22, 7-10) responded with a five-run, fourth inning to re-take thelead, 8-5, highlighted by Boone’s three-run homer to right center. Reliefpitcher Keary Camunas entered the game with one out in the top of the fifthand allowed just one hit the rest of the way.

Angus drew a walk from UF reliever Nicole Michael to start the seventh forthe Cats. Beth Dieter entered the game to relieve Michael and gave up asingle to left by Kwiatkowski. Kruse followed with a RBI-single, scoringAngus from third and advancing Kwiatkowski to third. Shortstop Angie DalPozzo was intentionally walk, loading the bases for UK third baseman AndreaEilertson. Eilertson reached on a fielder’s choice when UF triedunsuccessfully to throw out Kwiatkowski at home, trimming the Gators’ leadto 8-7. Dardis drew a bases-loaded walk as Kruse scored to tie the game.With nobody out, Jen Howland hit into a fielder’s choice as Dal Pozzo slidinto home, well before the throw to give the Cats a thrilling a 9-8 victory.

Camunas earned the win, improving to 17-11, while Dieter dropped to 17-10with the loss. Angus and Kwiatkowski each recorded three hits apiece andKruse added two.

In the first game, Kruse hit her second round-tripper of the season, asolo shot over the right field foul pole to give UK a 1-0 lead in thesecond inning. Dardis’ sacrifice fly to center scored Dal Pozzo, who taggedfrom third to give the Cats a 2-0 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Dal Pozzo blasted a two-runhomer, the first home run of her career, well over the left field fence asUK took a 4-0 advantage. This marked the first time this season that UK hashit two home runs in a game.

Camunas pitched out of trouble in the seventh as Lora Pinkerton groundedout to first with the bases loaded. Camunas pitched a four-hit shutout, herseventh shutout of the season and 19th of her career, to earn the win.Dieter struck out five in the losing effort for UF.

“It was important to get our first win over Florida,” UK coach BethKirchner said. “To win two games and get a come-from-behind victory made ita really exciting day.”

The final two games of the four-game series between UK and Floridaconcludes on Sunday, April 23 with the doubleheader beginning at noon atthe UK Softball Complex.

WP – Camunas (16-11) and Angus, LP – Dieter (17-9) and Zimbardi.
HR – Kruse (UK), Dal Pozzo (UK).

WP – Marr, Howland, Camunas (17-11) and Angus, LP – Landry, Michael, Dieter (17-10) and Zimbardi, Berger).
2B – Pinkerton (UF), 3B – Pinkerton (UF), Jones (UK), HR – Boone (UF), Angus (UK).
Records – UF (37-22, 7-10 SEC), UK (29-22, 10-8)