April 16, 1998

The University of Kentucky softball team returns home for the first time since completing a two-week road trip, as the Wildcats play host to Southeastern Conference rival Florida in a pair of conference doubleheaders this weekend.

The first doubleheader is set for a 6 p.m., Friday start, while Saturday’s doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Both doubleheaders will be at the UK Softball Stadium, located on Alumni Drive next to Commonwealth Stadium. The first 100 fans at Friday’s game will receive a free UK Softball t-shirt and all fans will have an opportunity to win prizes. The Wildcats (17-30, 5-11 SEC) are coming off their first-ever sweep of an SEC opponent, having taken both games from Mississippi State last Friday by identical 1-0 scores. UK pitcher Keary Camunas allowed just three total hits in the two games to pick up her fifth and sixth shutout wins of the season. The two wins were also a milestone for UK head coach Beth Kirchner, giving her 100 career victories as a head coach. “We should have two very exciting doubleheaders for our fans this weekend,” Kirchner said.

Florida enters the weekend having won 13 of their last 15 games for a 34-15 overall record, 13-3 in the SEC. Senior All-SEC pitcher Chelsey Sakizzie has carried much of the load for the Gators, having pitched 173.2 innings this year en route to an 18-7 record in the circle. Florida took all four games between the two teams last season, outscoring the Wildcats 25-2 in Gainesville.

Following this weekend’s action, UK hits the road again for a Tuesday doubleheader at Evansville.