Sept. 27, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UK softball team opened its fall exhibition schedule with a doubleheader against Georgetown College Sunday. Kentucky’s veterans were extremely impressive in the first competition of the fall schedule both at the plate and in the circle.
“The best thing about Sunday’s matchup was the fact that the returners looked strong on the field,” UK coach Rachel Lawson said. “It is obvious that the majority of the returners worked hard on increasing their strength over the summer break. This strength was exhibited both at the plate and in the pitching circle.”
In the opening game between the Wildcats and Georgetown College, senior Meagan Aull and sophomore Kara Dill set the tone for the Blue and White. The duo combined for a 3-for-4 day at the dish along with a hit by pitch and a pair of stolen bases. Junior Brittany Cervantes struck for a home run and plated four runs with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Cumbess was solid in the circle tallying three shutout innings and allowing just two batters to reach base. Junior ace Chanda Bell dominated in relief with 10 strikeouts in four frames of action.
In game two, senior Megan Yocke struck for an opposite-field home run in the bottom of the third inning. Senior Samantha DeMartine and junior Rachel Riley each chipped in with a pair of singles to aid the UK cause.
Kentucky used another freshman pitcher in Ellen Weaver to open game two. Weaver saw one inning of action and sat two batters down on strikes. Junior Ashleigh Gustafson got out of a jam with a runner on third by striking out the final two batters in her inning of action. Riley tossed four innings of relief and struck out eight of the 13 batters she faced.
The Wildcats return to action for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 2 Kentucky hosts Marshall beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Kentucky will then welcome Morehead State for two games on Sunday, Oct. 3 with the first pitch set for a 1 p.m. ET start.
Complete coverage of the Wildcat softball team can be found at UKathletics.com.
