Softball jumps on Huskies in the first, cruise from there.

(March 11, 2000) — The University of Kentucky softball team captured a rain-soaked 5-3victory over Northern Illinois in the opening game of the KentuckyInvitational at the UK Softball Complex Saturday afternoon. UK fell toEvansville in its second game of the day, 2-0.

UK jumped on the Huskies in the bottom of the first when LyndseyAngus’ RBI-single scored Beth Fogle from second base. After Angusadvanced to second on a passed ball, junior slugger Leslie Kwiatkowskisingled to score Angus, giving the Cats a 2-0 lead.

After NIU (2-5) added a run in the top of the fifth, UK responded withthree runs in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of three Huskie errors.Nikki Jones reached on an error by NIU second baseman Suzie Rizek toscore Dardis from third. Kwiatkowski followed with a single, scoringJones and Jennifer Howland.

Leading 5-1 in the top of the seventh, NIU rallied for two runs on threehits, but Paige Shemoski grounded out to UK pitcher Keary Camunas,ending the Huskies’ threat and giving the Cats a 5-3 victory.

Camunas walked two batters and struck out four as the senior won forthe third time in her last four starts. Kwiatkowski led the Cats at theplate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

In UK’s second game of the day, the Cats’ dropped a narrow 2-0decision to the Evansville Purple Aces. UE (13-4-2) broke a scorelesstie in the top of the seventh with first baseman Kristy Crain’s two-outsingle, scoring Haven Shank from third and Bridget Broerman fromsecond. The Cats had several opportunities, but were unable to come upwith a key hits.

UK (10-13), recording its fourth straight errorless game, tallied six hitsled by Angus and Jones who had two hits apiece.

“We really played excellent defense today and have put together fourgood defensive games in a row,” UK coach Beth Kirchner said. “I ampleased with the way we approached the whole day and if we do thesame thing on Sunday, we should be tournament champions.”

The final game Saturday between Evansville and Butler was postponed and will be played Sunday,March 12 at 10 a.m.

Day two of the Kentucky Invitational begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 12 with Northern Illinoisand Evansville set to square off. UK will face Butler at 2 p.m., while the championship game is setfor 4 p.m.

   R  H ENIU 0 0 0 0 1 0 2  3 11 4UK  2 0 0 0 0 3 x  5  4 0WP - Camunas (5-7) and Angus; LP - Dalton (0-3), Witvilet and Szymski,Knoll. 2B - Szymski (NIU).Records - NIU (1-5); UK (10-12).                  R  H EUE 0 0 0 0 0 0 2  2 10 2UK 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0  6 0WP - Ross (1-0) and Huff; LP - Howland (4-5) and Dengler. 2B - Broerman(UE); 3B - Huff (UE)Records - UE (13-4-2); UK (10-13).    R  H ENIU  0 0 1 3 0 0 0  4 10 1BU   0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0  1 3WP - Dalton (1-3) and Knoll; LP - Benter (1-2) and Poast. 2B - Szymski(NIU), Rizek (NIU)Records - NIU (2-5); BU (1-5).