April 30, 1998

LEXINGTON, Kty. – The University of Kentucky softball team faces a quartet of must-win games, as the Wildcats play host to arch-rival Tennessee in a pair of doubleheaders at the UK Softball Stadium over the weekend.

In order for the Wildcats (19-39, 6-18 SEC) to earn the eighth and final spot in this year’s Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament, UK must sweep all four games from the Lady Volunteers. A single loss to Tennessee (32-29, 9-15 SEC) gives UT the final berth into the tournament.

Friday’s doubleheader is set for a 6 p.m. start, while Saturday’s twinbill is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Saturday’s contests will also mark the final home games for UK seniors Jacki Haynes and Lorie Horner. The two are the first seniors in the brief history of the Kentucky program, and will be honored in a ceremony before the start of Saturday’s contests.

Kentucky enters the weekend having won its last game, a 3-1 decision over Miami (Ohio) that saw freshman pitcher Jackie Elston earn her first career win. The Wildcats also played well in a pair of Sunday losses to 10th-ranked LSU, outhitting the Tigers who are ranked sixth in the nation in batting.

Tennessee has dropped five of its last six contests after having won 14 of 16. Last season the teams met in Knoxville, with the Lady Vols claiming all three wins.