Feb. 26, 2010
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Kentucky offense erupted for 12 hits and seven runs in a 7-2 win over Kansas in the second game of the Frost Classic hosted by Chattanooga. Junior Megan Yocke and senior Molly Johnson both struck for a home run in the high-powered offensive output.
Kentucky (10-2) has now rattled off seven straight victories behind a quality offensive performance and a stellar pitching effort by sophomore Chanda Bell. Bell claimed her fifth win of the season and added 14 strikeouts to aid offensive show.
Eight players notched at least one hit with four players claiming a pair of hits. Johnson and Yocke both homered and brought in two runs apiece.
After three scoreless innings, the two teams would combine for nine runs in the final three frames. Kentucky opened the scoring with two runs in the fourth. Junior Annie Rowlands got things started for the Wildcats with a single through the right side. Senior Destinee Mordecai advanced the runner with a masterful sacrifice bunt, but Rowlands would round home anyway on Yocke’s bomb for the 2-0 UK advantage.
The Wildcats added to their lead with a run in the fifth to move ahead 3-0. Senior Natalie Smith doubled to place the leadoff batter on base. She would shift to third on a single into right field by sophomore Rachel Riley. Junior Samantha DeMartine plated the score with a fielder’s choice.
Kansas would strike for a run in the bottom half of the inning off of a solo home run to make the score 3-1 in favor of the Wildcats.
UK then answered with three runs in the top of the sixth to increase its advantage to 6-1. Mordecai led off the inning with a double into deep centerfield. Yocke then reached on a fielder’s choice and shifted to second during Mordecai’s run-down. A groundout to the pitcher enabled Yocke to shift to third. Smith brought her home with a single through the right side. Smith would then move to third after a stolen base and a passed ball, but it would not matter as Johnson drilled a shot over the centerfield wall for the second and third runs of the inning.
The Jayhawks posted another solo home run to make the score 6-2 in favor of the designated visitors in the bottom half of the sixth.
Kentucky plated its final score in the top half of the seventh to stretch its lead to a 7-2 and the final margin for the win. Junior Meagan Aull earned a one-out double and came home on a Mordecai single for the final tally of the game.
UK returns to action for two more games Saturday at the Frost Classic. Kentucky will take on Lipscomb at 12:30 p.m. and the host Lady Mocs at 3 p.m. to wrap up action in Chattanooga.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information regarding the Kentucky softball team.