May 10, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ga. — University of Kentucky softball coach BethKirchner wasnamed the Southeastern Coach of the Year, the league office announced today.Kirchner guided the Cats to the SEC Eastern Division title and their firstwinning season since the program began in 1997. UK finished the regular season,36-27, which followed 11 wins in 1997, 19 in 1998, and 23 in 1999.
“It is a true honor to be named SEC Coach of the Year amongst all thegreat coaches in the conference,” Kirchner said. “I think everyone knows thatthe credit for winning this award goes back to the team and my coaching staff.These kids have played hard all season and surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Because of their hard work, and that of our coaching staff, LyndaCook, Mark Montgomery, and Bethany Wiegand, we had a successful season.”
The fastpitch Wildcats, who finished their SEC slate with a 15-13record, are in Columbus, Ga. preparing to open the league tournament onThursday against South Carolina.
Kwiatkowski and Kruse Earn All-SEC Honors
Junior outfielders Leslie Kwiatkowski and Tiffany Kruse both earnedAll-Southeastern Conference honors in voting by the league’s coaches, it wasannounced today.
“I am extremely happy for both Leslie and Tiffany,” Kirchner said.”Theyled our team in SEC play and are great representatives of our team.”
Kwiatkowski, a native of South Bend, Ind., was a first-team selection,the Wildcats’ first player to earn first-team honors in school history.Kwiatkowski hit .438 in conference games this season with 39 hits, sevendoubles, three triples, and a home run. She tallied 21 RBI, scored 19 runs, andstole 11 bases in SEC contests. Overall, she broke the UK single-season recordsfor batting average (.405), hits (79), RBI (50), slugging percentage (.585) andruns scored (43).
“Leslie has been an outstanding player for us all season long,”Kirchnersaid. “She has all the tools — a strong bat, foot speed, and a canon for anarm. Because of the team’s success, she is getting her due recognition.”
Kruse, a native of Columbus, Ohio, earned second-team honors, hitting.341 in SEC games in addition to 30 hits, seven doubles, two triples, and ahomer. She broke the UK single-season mark for triples in a season with seven.
“Tiffany has had an outstanding conference season for us, offensivelyand defensively,” Kircher said. “She came through in the clutch when we neededher to either make a diving catch or bring in the RBI.”
Cats Open SEC Tournament Against 25th-Ranked USC
The University of Kentucky softball team will open the SoutheasternConference Softball Tournament on Thursday, May 11 at 2 p.m. against the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks at South Commons Stadium.
UK is making its first appearance in the conference tournamentsince theprogram began in 1997.
The Cats split a four-game series with USC (35-25, 11-16) earlierin theseason in Lexington, Ky. UK captured the first game of the series, 1-0, andscored a come-from-behind 6-5 victory in the final game.
