March 23, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky softball team will open Southeastern Conferenceplay Friday against the Auburn Tigers at the UK Softball Complex. The firstgame of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m., while the second game is slatedfor 6 p.m.

“Auburn will be a good test for us,” UK coach Beth Kirchner said. “Theyare a good hitting team. I think our games with them will come down topitching and defense. We are very excited to start conference play,especially with the momentum we have generated.”

The Tigers are led by junior Jen Kraemer, who is hitting .432 on theseason, fourth highest in the SEC. Kraemer’s 41 hits is the second highesttotal in the conference. She has nine doubles, two triples, two home runs,and 17 RBIs.Auburn (22-12, 2-4 SEC) dropped a four-game series to LSU last weekend inBaton Rouge, La., 3-1. The Tigers only win over LSU was a 2-1 victory inthe second game of the series.

Junior Leslie Kwiatkowski is UK’s top offensive threat with a .388 battingaverage. The South Bend, Ind., native leads the Cats in hits (33), homeruns (3), RBIs (26), and stolen bases (11).

The Cats and Tigers split the two-game series last season in Auburn, Ala.Trailing 6-4 in the top of the seventh, Kwiatkowski hit a three-run shotover the right field wall to give UK a 7-6 victory.