February 23, 1999

RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of Kentucky softball team split a pair ofgames to capture third place in Group C pool play at the UNC TriangleClassic on Saturday. The third-place finish places the Wildcats in thesingle-elimination tournament which begins on Sunday.

UK (4-6) defeated Ohio to claim sole possession of third place. TheWildcats posted four runs in the top of the sixth inning to put the gameout of reach. Jennifer Howland reached on a fielder’s choice and moved tosecond on an error by the Bobcat shortstop that put runners on first andsecond. Tiffany Kruse followed with an rbi single to drive in Howland.Sophomore Leslie Kwiatkowski continued the inning with a two-run double tomake the score 8-1. Ohio answered with one run in the bottom of theinning, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats claimed the victory.

The Wildcats weren’t as fortunate in the first game, dropping a 13-0decision to Maryland. Kelly Shipman threw a no-hitter for the Terrapins,striking out five and allowing only runner to reach base when she hit UK’sColleen Boddy.

Kentucky also completed its game with Temple which was suspended on Fridaydue to heavy rain. UK defeated TU by a score of 8-0 and improved itsrecord to 4-6 on the year with the win.

“I’m happy with the way we played against Ohio, offensively,” said UKcoach Beth Kirchner. “We need to be more consistent and have fewer highsand lows.”

Kentucky will face Illinois-Chicago at 9 a.m. on Sunday in the first roundof the single-elimination tournament. The Wildcats fell to UIC lastweekend by a score of 10-0 in the Texas-Arlington/Pepsi IntercollegiateClassic.