Kwiatkowski and Kruse earn All-SEC honors.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (May 10, 2000) — University of Kentucky softballcoach Beth Kirchner was named the SoutheasternCoach of the Year, the league office announcedtoday. Kirchner guided the Cats to the SEC EasternDivision title and their first winning season since theprogram began in 1997. UK finished the regularseason, 36-27, which followed 11 wins in 1997, 19 in1998, and 23 in 1999.
“It is a true honor to be named SEC Coach of theYear amongst all the great coaches in theconference,” Kirchner said. “I think everyone knowsthat the credit for winning this award goes back to theteam and my coaching staff. These kids have playedhard all season and surpassed everyone’sexpectations.
“Because of their hard work, and that of our coachingstaff, Lynda Cook, Mark Montgomery, and BethanyWiegand, we had a successful season.”
The fastpitch Wildcats, who finished their SEC slatewith a 15-13 record, are in Columbus, Ga. preparingto open the league tournament on Thursday againstSouth Carolina.
Kwiatkowski and Kruse Earn All-SEC HonorsJunior 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. “They led ourteam in SEC play and are great representatives of our team.”
Kwiatkowski, a native of South Bend, Ind., was a first-team selection, theWildcats’ first player to earn first-team honors in school history. Kwiatkowski hit.438 in conference games this season with 39 hits, seven doubles, three triples,and a home run. She tallied 21 RBI, scored 19 runs, and stole 11 bases in SECcontests. Overall, she broke the UK single-season records for batting average(.405), hits (79), RBI (50), slugging percentage (.585) and runs scored (43).
“Leslie has been an outstanding player for us all season long,” Kirchner said.”She has all the tools — a strong bat, foot speed, and a canon for an arm.Because of the team’s success, she is getting her due recognition.”
Kruse, a native of Columbus, Ohio, earned second-team honors, hitting .341 inSEC games in addition to 30 hits, seven doubles, two triples, and a homer. Shebroke the UK single-season mark for triples in a season with seven.
“Tiffany has had an outstanding conference season for us, offensively anddefensively,” Kircher said. “She came through in the clutch when we needed herto either make a diving catch or bring in the RBI.”
Cats Open SEC Tournament Against 25th-Ranked USCThe University of Kentucky softball team will open the Southeastern ConferenceSoftball Tournament on Thursday, May 11 at 2 p.m. against the South CarolinaLady Gamecocks at South Commons Stadium.
UK is making its first appearance in the conference tournament since theprogram began in 1997.
The Cats split a four-game series with USC (35-25, 11-16) earlier in the seasonin Lexington, Ky. UK captured the first game of the series, 1-0, and scored acome-from-behind 6-5 victory in the final game.
