March 22, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UK softball team swept a doubleheader from Akron Wednesday afternoon,extending its school-record winning streak to five games and breaking the.500 mark for the first time in school history after 20 games. With thesweep, the Cats improved their overall record to 15-13 on the season.

UK hurler Keary Camunas won her fifth straight game, pitching a 3-0shutout against the Zips, her fourth shutout during her five-game winningstreak. Camunas, who improved to 8-7 with the win, struck out eight Akronbatters as the Cats claimed a 3-0 victory over the Zips.

Leslie Kwiatkowski’s RBI- single in the bottom of the first, put UK up1-0. Left fielder Tiffany Kruse grounded out to second base as LyndseyAngus scored from third base, giving the Cats a 2-0 advantage. In thesecond inning, Jen Howland scored from second on freshman Nikki Jones’RBI-single to center field for the game’s final margin.

The Cats, who have not committed an error in eight of their last ninegames, were led at the plate by center fielder Beth Fogle and Kwiatkowskiwho had two hits apiece.

In the second game, UK took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.Catcher Sandi Dengler scored from third base on Angus sacrifice fly to leftfield. Kwiatkowski followed with her third triple of the season, scoringFogle from second and Jones from third.

Akron (10-8) tied the game in the top of the fourth on four hits,including a two-run single to center field by pinch hitter Melissa Hurley.However, UK responded with a huge sixth inning as the Cats pulled away fromthe Zips.

Angie Dal Pozzo doubled to left center, her fourth double of the season,and she scored on Andrea Eilertson’s RBI-single, giving UK a narrow 4-3lead. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Colleen Boddy stroked abases-clearing double off the center field wall, as the Cats went on todefeat Akron, 8-3.

Howland pitched the final two innings after freshman Morgan Marr startedand threw five strong innings. In Howland’s two innings of work, theGlendale, Ariz., native struck out two batters and did not allow a hit asshe picked up the win, improving her record to 5-5.

Dengler went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs, while Jones went1-for-3 and scored two runs. Fogle recorded two hits and scored a run forthe second straight game.

“Our bats are starting to catch fire, and we need that with two toughSoutheastern Conference opponents coming to town this weekend,” UK coachBeth Kirchner said. “Keary Camunas had another good outing today and MorganMarr threw well. We need our defense to continue to play well because, wegive ourselves a chance to win if we can hit the ball.”

UK will begin SEC play this weekend as the Cats play host to the AuburnTigers on Friday at the UK Softball Complex. The first game of thedoubleheader is set for 4 p.m., while the second game is slated for 6 p.m.

                        R H EAkron   0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0 7 0UK      2 1 0 0 0 0 x   3 7 0

WP – Camunas (8-7) and Dengler, LP – Keenan (6-5), Watson and Villard. 2B -McCoy (Akron)Records – Akron (10-7), UK (14-13).

                        R H EAkron   0 0 0 3 0 0 0   3 6 0UK      0 0 3 0 0 5 x   8 11 0

WP – Marr, Howland (5-5) and Dengler, LP – Keenan (6-6) and Villard. 2B -Villard (Akron), Boddy (UK), Angus (UK), Dal Pozzo (4), 3B – Kwiatkowski (UK)

Records – Akron (10-8), UK (15-13).