WACO, Texas ? Senior Brooke Marnitz made NCAA history as the Kentucky softball team stayed perfect on the year, defeating Southern Mississippi (0-3) by a final of 12-2 in five innings at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas. Kentucky improved to 3-0 as Marnitz set a new NCAA mark for hits in consecutive at-bats with 12 straight hits. This marks the first time in the program?s 11-year history that the Wildcats have started a season 3-0.
Marnitz went 3-for-3 and had her record-breaking hit with a two-run double in the fifth for her twelfth straight hit, dating back to the final two games of the 2006 season. Florida?s Lindsay Cameron previously held the record with 11 consecutive hits from March 19-25, 2005. The Lexington native also ran her hitting streak to a career-high seven games and tied a UK record with six RBI in the win over Southern Mississippi. Former Cat Leslie Kwiatkowski previously drove in six runs on March 1, 2000, against Eastern Kentucky. Marnitz has now reached base in 17 consecutive plate appearances with five walks during her current streak.
Kentucky got on the board first when freshman Natalie Smith singled up the middle with one out to start the rally. Senior Brooke Marnitz reached base for the eighth straight plate appearance with a base on balls to put runners at first and second. Junior Alli Eckman followed with her first home run of the season and the third of her career as she sent a Shea Naramore delivery over the wall in right to give UK the early 3-0 lead.
Southern Miss added a run in the bottom of the first after a pair of doubles to make it a 3-1 UK lead.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the second, scoring two runs with two outs to go on top 5-1. Smith drew a walk and scored when Marnitz belted her second homerun of the year over the left field wall to put the Cats ahead by four runs.
The offensive onslaught continued in the third as the Wildcats plated four runs to push its lead to 9-1. Gina Florence singled up the middle, stole second and moved to third when Ashley Fertic reached on a fielder?s choice. Florence would come around to score on a wild pitch. Destinee Mordecai and Audrey Meyer each walked, followed by Smith with an RBI single to right.
Junior Lindsay Brogdon got the start in the circle for the Wildcats. She retired the side in order in the second and allowed just one earned run on two hits in 2.0 innings of work. Freshman Amber Matousek relieved Brogdon in the second and retired the side in order after giving up a leadoff single.
Kentucky made it a 10-run lead in the fifth when Marnitz set the new NCAA record with a two-run double off the wall in left field. The hit gave Marnitz six RBI for the day, tying a UK record set by Leslie Kwiatkowski on March 1, 2000, against Eastern Kentucky.
Matousek (1-0) earned the win in her first collegiate game, tossing 3.0 innings of relief. She gave up one earned run on four hits en route to the victory.
Smith went 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI. Eckman finished with three RBI on a 1-for-3 day at the plate, while Florence was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.
The Wildcats return to action later today when they take on No. 18 Baylor in a 5:15 pm start.
