May 9, 2001

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The University of Kentucky softball team opens Southeastern Conference Tournament play Thursday, May 10, in a 2 p.m. matchup against No. 21 (USA Today/NFCA) South Carolina at Jim Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Thursday’s contest between the seventh-seeded Wildcats (27-32, 10-18 SEC) and the second-seeded Lady Gamecocks (37-17-1, 18-8 SEC) will mark the fourth meeting between the Eastern Division rivals this season. UK won two of three closely-contested decisions over South Carolina in mid-April at the UK Softball Complex. The Lady Gamecocks took the opening game of the series 3-0, but the Cats bounced back to win the second game 2-1. In the final game UK scored a 6-5 win in eight innings.

“Playing South Carolina will be a real challenge for us,” UK coach Beth Kirchner said. “We have played tough games against them and I am sure they will be ready to play. We need to play hard and go all-out.”

Junior shortstop Angie Dal Pozzo leads UK in hitting with a .365 batting average, 40 RBI, and seven home runs, while sophomore Nikki Jones is riding a seven-game hitting streak. Sophomore hurler Morgan Marr has notched 17 wins on the season to pace the Wildcat pitching staff. Marr needs two victories to tie the school’s individual single-season record.