March 7, 1999
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball team dropped its third game of the 1999 Kentucky Invitational today, as the Akron Zips edged the Wildcats 5-4. UK got off to a quick start against Akron, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Jennifer Howland singled and Tiffany Kruse followed with a single but advanced to second on a throwing error by the Akron left fielder. Howland crossed the plate as Kruse went to second. Shanna Martini stepped up and delivered a base hit scoring Kruse.
The Zips responded by scoring three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-2 lead.
UK (6-12) countered in the bottom of the second when freshman Angie Dal Pozzo doubled. Andy Eilertson, who reached base on a error, scored to tie the game, 3-3.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Wildcats reclaimed the lead when sophomore Leslie Kwiatkowski hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot to right field. She went 2-4 at the plate. Clinging to a 4-3 lead going heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats and Colleen Boddy nearly escaped the Akron rally. With two outs and runners on second and third, Jackie Rothman hit a ball down to UK first baseman Tracie Potts. Potts made a diving stop but the ball squirted loose scoring the game deciding two runs. Boddy, who pitched a solid game for UK giving up five hits and striking out five, took the loss for the Wildcats. UK was winless in its three tournament games this weekend. “This tournament has been extremely frustrating in that we were not able to put it all together,” UK Head Coach Beth Kirchner said. “We don’t have clutch hitting and as a result, we can’t put it all together. We’re not getting good pitching, good defense, and good timely hitting all at the same time.
“If we’re searching for anything right now, we’re searching for consistency in all areas of our game.”
The consolation game and the tournament championship games were cancelled due to weather conditions. Ohio State was awarded the first place trophy after it went 3-0 during the weekend.
Game 1 Game 2Ohio State - 3 Akron - 5Canisius -0 UK - 4
