GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The Kentucky softball team earned their first win of the season with a 3-1 win over Stephen F. Austin in the second round of the Texas-Arlington/Pepsi Intercollegiate Classic on Saturday.

The Wildcats (1-3) trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth when Angie Dal Pozzo and Leslie Kwiatkowski posted back-to-back singles to start the inning. Sophomore Tiffany Kruse grounded out to second to advance the runners to second and third. Liz Love followed with a two-run single to right field to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. A slow roller to first base by Sarah Snider moved Love to third with one out. Love scored on an error by the SFA shortstop on a sharply hit ball by Michelle Bucci to push the UK lead to 3-1.

SFA threatened in the sixth inning, but with one out and runners on second and third, UK pitcher Keary Camunas got Ashley Moffett to fly out to left field, followed by a inning-ending strikeout of Catherine Paiz to seal the victory and place the Wildcats fifth place in pool play.

“I think we played more comfortably today,” UK coach Beth Kirchner said. “We are settling in and gaining confidence.”

The Wildcats weren’t as fortunate in the second game of the day, dropping a 2-1 decision to Oklahoma State. The Wildcats rallied late, scoring the lone UK run when Leslie Kwiatkowski crossed the plate on a ground-rule double by Tiffany Kruse.

UK continues action in the UTA tournament on Sunday, as the Wildcats face Nicholls State, which defeated UK by a score of 5-1 in the first day of the tournament.

“We are in a good position to play Nicholls State again,” Kirchner said. “We’re anxious to play tomorrow and see what kind of progress we have made.”