April 13, 2003
Baton Rouge, La. – The University of Kentucky softball team had a season-low 15 at bats Sunday as they fell in five innings to the 11th-ranked LSU Tigers (33-11, 11-6), 11-1. Senior Nikki Jones had the UK’s only two hits of the day as Kentucky fell to 9-34 overall and 1-22 in the SEC.
Nikki Jones led off the game with her first hit of the series, a single to center field. After Lori Melchi sacrificed her to second, Lyndsey Angus drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. Following a Rachel Friberg foul out, Amy Kendall walked to load the bases. But Jessica Nance popped up to the third baseman to end the early threat from Kentucky.
In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers put the first run on the board. With runners on second and third with two out, Blair Smith singled up the middle. Sara Fitzgerald scored easily from third but with Tessa Lynam trying to get home from second, centerfielder Jessica Nance scooped up the ball and threw a strike to catcher Lyndsey Angus who tagged out Lynam at home for the third out.
LSU added a two more in the bottom of the second on two doubles and two singles. Fitzgerald got her fourth hit and fourth RBI of the series to give the Tigers the 3-1 advantage.
Jones led off the top of the third inning. With the outfield playing shallow because of her reputation as a slapper, Jones laced a triple over the right fielder’s head, her team-leading third three-bagger of the season. Following a groundout by Melchi, Angus earned her second walk of the day. Friberg came up and laid down a bunt with Jones taking off from third. The squeeze worked to perfection as Jones slid safely into home for Kentucky’s lone run.
As was the case in both games Saturday, LSU had a big third inning, scoring three runs on three hits, a walk and a Kentucky error. The Tigers had an even bigger fourth inning, putting the game out of reach by scoring five more runs and led 11-1.
A one-two-three fifth for the Cats meant the second straight mercy rule win for LSU over the Cats.
The Cats will have a couple days off before traveling to Bloomington, Ind., to take on Big Ten opponent Indiana in a doubleheader, Wednesday, April 16. The first game will begin at 3 p.m. CT, which is a change from the original 2 p.m. start.
