March 17, 2002
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to erase a one-run deficit and down the visiting University of Kentucky softball team, 4-3, at the Florida Softball Field on Sunday, March 17, taking the final game of the three-game series. With the loss, UK falls to 15-11 on the season and 1-2 in Southeastern Conference play.
“I thought we got started pretty well offensively,” UK Coach Kirchner said. “We got another solid pitching performance from Jennifer Howland, but we need to make plays defensively to win these games.
Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Gators loaded the bases with two outs before all three runners came home on an error by UK leftfielder Meghan Brooks.
The Wildcats started to mount a comeback in the sixth as junior Lyndsey Angus drew a one-out walk and came home on senior Andy Eilertson’s double to the centerfield fence. Eilertson could not keep the rally going, however, as she was thrown out on an attempted steal of third, effectively ending the UK threat.
Kentucky got a fast start out of the gate, pushing a run across in the top half of the first. Senior Beth Fogle singled to start the game, stole second and moved over to third on junior Nikki Jones’ groundout to the shortstop. Senior Angie Dal Pozzo then picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Wildcats tacked another run on the board in the second as senior Jennifer Howland crossed home thanks to an error on the Gator’s catcher. Howland had reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on Brooks’ groundout, stole third and then came home as the catchers’ throw trying to get her scooted into leftfield, allowing Howland to come home safely.
Howland was saddled with the loss despite allowing just three hits and four runs, all unearned. Angus and senior Angie Dal Pozzo each finished the game 1-for-2 while Eilertson and Dal Pozzo both picked up an RBI.
The Cats will retake the field on Tuesday, March 19, at the UK Softball Complex as they play host to Tennessee. The doubleheader will be the conference home-opener for the Wildcats.
Kentucky1100010-3 5 3Florida010030X-4 3 3WP: Schuerman (3-5). LP: Howland (5-3). S: none.
-UK-
