Feb. 27,1998

LEXINGTON, Ky. The University of Kentucky softball team continues early-season tournament action this weekend as the Wildcats travel to Carbondale, Ill., for the 1998 Southern Classic.

UK (4-6) opens the tournament against Northern Illinois at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, before taking on host Southern Illinois-Carbondale at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will also face Southeast Missouri State on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. Kentucky takes on Bradley at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 1 and closes the tournament against Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m.

Each meeting will be the first between UK and the respective opponent. Northern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, Bradley and Eastern Illinois all enter the tournament with 0-0 records, as each open the 1998 season this weekend. Southern Illinois enters the tournament with a 4-1 record and is receiving votes in the NFCA poll after a 7-6 win over then 25th-ranked Tennessee.