March 6, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball team lost its two opening games of the1999 Kentucky Invitational held at the UK Soccer-Softball Complex today.

In the first game, the Ohio State Buckeyes outlasted the Wildcats 5-4. OSUjumped on UK early getting one run in the second inning and three runs inthe third inning to take a 3-0 lead.

UK rallied with a four-run sixth inning that was started by freshman BethFogle who led the Wildcats by going 3-3 at the plate. Fogle singled andJennifer Howland grounded out, advancing Fogle to second. Tiffany Kruse,who also had a big day for the Wildcats going 2-4 with one RBI, singled toscore Fogle. Leslie Kwiatkowski doubled home Kruse. Shanna Martini followedwith a double of her own to score Kwiatkowski. Andy Eilertson singled toscore Martini making it a 4-4 game.

The winning run for OSU was scored in the bottom of the sixth. Stacy Rothsingled to open the inning and advanced to second on a passed ball byHowland. Holly English singled, advancing Roth to third. Wessendorfgrounded out as Roth crossed the plate.

UK pitcher Jennifer Howland lost her first game of the year moving herrecord to 2-1.

The Wildcats took on the Canisius Golden Griffins in its second game ofthe day. UK dug itself another early hole and was forced to battle backonce again. Down 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth, UK fought back and scoredthree runs to make it 5-4.

Two UK (6-11) errors in the top of the seventh allowed two Canisius runsto score to defeat the Wildcats 7-4.

Kruse continued her hot hitting against Canisius going 3-4 at the plate.Pitcher Keary Camunas struck out nine batters for the Wildcats.

UK will take on Akron tomorrow at 1 p.m. The consolation game (No. 3 vs.No. 4) will be played at 3 p.m. while the championship game (No. 1 vs. No.2) is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start.

Game 1                  Game 3 Ohio State - 5          Canisius - 7 UK -4                   UK - 4

Game 2 Game 4 Ohio State – 11 Akron – 4Akron – 1 Canisius – 0