Every Tuesday, UK Athletics recognizes outstanding performances for our student-athletes. These are the honorees for the week ending Sunday, Mar. 4:
Softball: Chanda Bell
Senior Chanda Bell enjoyed a successful week on the mound for the Wildcats en route to All-Tournament team honors at the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational. Bell was involved in all three of UK’s victories with two wins and a save. She tossed a team-high 13.0 innings with a 1.62 ERA and 15 strikeouts. She notched a season-high seven fanned batters in a six-inning win over Stephen F. Austin. Her save in the first game with the Jacks moved her into fourth all-time in saves. Bell increased her career win total to 57 games as she moved into just second all-time in career starts at UK. Bell gave up just 0.61 hits per inning pitched this weekend as batter’s averaged just a .170 batting average against UK’s right-hander.
Softball: Kara Dill
Junior Kara Dill continued her explosive offensive play with a team-high nine hits for a .500 batting average in leading UK to a 3-2 week at the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational. Dill’s efforts earned her All-Tournament team accolades for the second consecutive tournament. She’s put together a career-long 15-game hitting streak which included at least one hit in all five contests this week. She scored a team-high eight times and drove in four runs as well. In a win over Stephen F. Austin she registered a single, double and triple for the second time this season. She was also perfect on the base paths with three stolen bases. Dill has been the offensive spark for the Wildcats as UK logged three run-rule victories this weekend including scoring eight or more runs in three victories.
Gymnastics: Audrey Harrison
Finished third in the all-around competition with a career-best all-around score of 39.225. Tied a career high on vault with a 9.825 and bars with a 9.775, while setting a career high on beam with a 9.825. Is currently ranked 33rd in the nation in the all-around competition with an RQS of 39.035
Softball: Griffin Joiner
Freshman Griffin Joiner moved into the No. 3 spot in the batting order and enjoyed a tremendous offensive weekend en route to All-Tournament team honors. Joiner led the Wildcats with a .571 batting average and ranked second on the team with four RBI. She strung together a career-long hitting streak of eight games and four consecutive games with at least one RBI. In a win over Stephen F. Austin she posted her first career double, and in the heartbreaking loss to No. 12 Louisiana she enjoyed her first career perfect outing at the plate with three hits and a walk in the win. In the second victory over the Jacks, she became the second UK player this season to score three runs in a single game. For the week, she batted more than .200 higher than her season average and scored five of her nine total runs for the season.
Baseball: Corey Littrell
Turned in a quality start in UK’s sweep-clinching win over UIC … Picked up the win with six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two and striking out seven … Allowed only two hits – both to the same hitter – with his two walks coming as two-out free passes … On the year, Littrell has a 2-0 record and a 1.89 ERA in three starts, striking out 20 and walking four in 19 innings, allowing only 11 hits and a .177 batting average.
Baseball: Luke Maile
Had a monster week in leading UK to the nation’s best record and one of only two undefeated teams in college baseball … Led UK to five wins during the week with a .500 average (9-for-18) with three doubles, one homer and six RBI … Caught all five games during the week behind the plate as UK senior catcher Michael Williams was held out as an injury precaution … Finished with three walks and one strikeout during the week, with his strikeout the first of the 11-game season and his first encompassing all of UK’s preseason scrimmages … In UK’s 3-2 win over Morehead State on Tuesday, Maile went 1-for-3 with the game-winning two-RBI single … In a win over Xavier on Wednesday, Maile went 3-for-3 with a walk, homer and a double, driving in one RBI … Maile drew a walk and launched an RBI single in a win over UIC in the first game of the series, also stealing a base … In the second game, Maile went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI … In UK’s sweep clinching win, Maile was pulled from the lineup early for rest but went 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, stealing another base … On the year, Maile has hit .405 (17-for-42) with four doubles, three homers and 13 RBI, stealing a team-leading six bases in seven attempts.
Baseball: A.J. Reed
Helped lead UK to five wins during the week, one as the starting pitcher and four as a middle of the order presence … Posted a .308 average (4-for-13) during the week with a double, team-high seven RBI and three walks … On the mound, made his first career start, tossing six innings with four hits and one run allowed, striking out two with a 1.50 ERA … On the year, Reed has solidified himself as one of the top freshmen in the nation and one of the top two-way players in college baseball, batting .303 (10-for-33) with a homer and a team-high 17 RBI in his first 11 career collegiate games … On the mound, Reed has one start in two games, with a 1.35 ERA and a 1-0 record … His other pitching appearance came when he was inserted with the bases loaded and one out in the season opener at Wofford, striking out the first hitter he faced and getting out of the jam unscathed.
Men’s tennis: Grant Roberts
Grant Roberts: Stepped in nicely to earn two wins at the No. 6 singles position for Kentucky and was on track to earn a third when his match was abandoned due to the team result already being clinched. Both singles wins came in straight sets, taking down Michael Nott of Arkansas 6-3, 6-3 and Jarred Wynan of Louisiana-Lafayette 6-3, 6-4. Teamed with senior Alex Musialek to win his lone two doubles matches of the week as well.
