LEXINGTON ? Kentucky improved to 10-6 on the year with two wins at the Frostbite Classic Saturday. Junior catcher Katie Campbell led the Wildcat offensive attack with a combined five hits and six RBI. UK pitchers combined to give up only two earned runs on the afternoon as sophomore Lindsay Brogdon and senior Amy Kendall both picked up victories.
In game one, the Cats jumped on Ohio University pitching in the third when senior Lori Melchi connected on her second home run of the season to lead off the inning. After two hit batsmen, junior Ashley Fertic doubled to left center, scoring two, to give UK a 3-0 lead.
In the fifth, freshman Megan Miller walked and was brought home on a triple by Campbell. UK struck again in the sixth with two runs on four hits and hung on for the 6-3 victory. Borgdon (3-1) went 5.1, allowing one earned run and striking out four. Kendall came in during the sixth to help close out the game for Kentucky.
“We had some people step up today. Brogdon threw the ball well and Melchi hit the ball really hard against Ohio. We kind of coasted in that first game but I liked our response when they (Ohio) tried to put pressure on us.”
Game two saw the Cats spray out eight hits to defeat Youngstown State 9-0.
“It was tough to get in a rhythm in the second game. Their pitcher was pretty wild making it tough to get settled in the box. It was great to see Elizabeth Fadde and Katie McCarty come in and get their first hits of the year. The return of Samantha Allen was a real positive. She has worked hard through her injury and rehab and only makes us stronger on the mound.”
Kentucky jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first on two hit batsmen, a walk and a balk.
In the second, freshman Ali Ray led off with a single, followed by a junior Brooke Marnitz walk. Miller then hit into a fielders choice, but senior Meghan Cooper drew a walk and Campbell drove in two with a single up the middle.
Kentucky continued to pour it on with a run in the third and two in the fourth on Campbell?s first home run of the season and team-leading 16th and 17th RBI.
Kendall pitched five strong innings, striking out six, surrendering no runs while improving to 4-2 on the year. Sophomore pitcher Samantha Allen saw her first action of the season, striking out three in the sixth.
The Cats look for a clean sweep of the Frostbite Classic tomorrow when they play host to Belmont at 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow?s tournament begins at 9 a.m. with three games preceding the Cats? contest. Admission to the tourney is free of charge.
