Feb. 13, 2011
MIAMI – Freshman pitcher Ellen Weaver earned her first career victory in the circle in leading the Kentucky softball team to a 5-2 victory over North Florida at the FIU Combat Classic Sunday in Miami. The left hander tossed a complete-game effort, allowing four hits and just one earned run.
Kentucky improves to 4-1 on the young season following an impressive opening weekend of action. North Florida drops to 0-4 with the loss.
Senior Samantha DeMartine was 1-for-2 which also included a pair of walks and a run scored. Junior Brittany Cervantes had a one-run double to aid the offensive production.
The opening inning featured three runs between the two teams with just one hit registered. North Florida struck first in the visitor’s side of the opening frame after UK’s defense recorded two errors on a single play.
Kentucky struck back with two tallies in the bottom of the stanza. UK had three consecutive players reach base thanks to a walk. Freshman Lauren Cumbess sent a dribbler to the shortstop who skipped the ball towards first enabling UK to round home for two scores and a 2-1 edge.
The Ospreys knotted the score at two apiece in the top of the third following a pair of hits including a double.
UK fired back with three runs in the home half of the fourth to take a 5-2 advantage. Senior Megan Yocke began the inning with a walk. Cervantes then sliced a ball along the left field line for a double to score Yocke from first. DeMartine sent a blooper just beyond the second base bag to place two runners aboard. Pinch hitters Rachel Riley and Emily Gaines each drew a walk to score the next two runners to secure the three-run victory for the Blue and White.
The Wildcats return to action for its second tournament in as many weekends beginning Feb. 18. UK will take on Georgia Southern at 10 a.m. on Friday to open the tournament.
Complete coverage of the Wildcat softball team all season long can be found at UKathletics.com.
