Feb. 13, 2011
MIAMI – The Kentucky offense found its rhythm for five runs over the final two innings in a dramatic comeback 6-3 victory over DePaul in extra innings to preserve its perfect record at the FIU Combat Classic in Miami late Saturday night. Trailing 3-1 going into the top of the seventh, UK rallied for a pair of scores to force extra innings before plating three runs in the top of the eighth to secure its third consecutive victory to begin the 2011 season.
With DePaul leading 3-1, senior Samantha DeMartine began the top half of the seventh with a solo home run over the right-center wall to ignite the rally. Freshman Emily Jolly then smacked her second double of the game to keep the inning alive for the Blue and White. Following a pop-up to the second baseman, freshman Lauren Cumbess delivered a single into centerfield to place runners on the corners. UK picked up its second out of the frame with the second pop-up to second base in the inning to set the stage for sophomore Kara Dill. The shortstop delivered a well-timed bunt into the left-side gap to score Jolly and force extra frames.
“I always tell my team that they need to go hard every single play because you never know what will be the game-winning play,” UK coach Rachel Lawson said. “Kara’s hit was the game-winning play tonight.”
Kentucky (3-0) then used the momentum to its favor to push across three runs in the top of the eighth to capture the victory. Senior Meagan Aull was placed on second base to begin the inning and junior Brittany Cervantes immediately delivered what would become the game-winning score with a double over the right fielder’s head. DeMartine then singled into left field and advanced to second with a throw being made home to keep Cervantes at third to place both runners in scoring position. UK’s hot-hitting freshman, Jolly, smacked her third double of the outing into the left-center gap to clear the bases and deliver the game’s final margin at 6-3.
Jolly reached base in all four plate appearances on the afternoon with a 3-for-3 day which included three doubles and a walk. The three doubles ties a UK single-game record, matching current assistant coach Molly Johnson’s mark set in 2008.
DeMartine went 2-for-4 which included her second home run of the season. Dill was 1-for-2 on the afternoon with the game-saving RBI single and a walk. Yocke also had a good outing with a 2-for-4 performance.
Junior right-hander Chanda Bell earns her second victory in as many starts with the complete game effort. Bell struck out six in the game and allowed just two earned runs.
DePaul struck first with a run in the home side of the first inning to take the early 1-0 edge.
Kentucky evened the score at one apiece with a tally in the top of the third inning. Dill reached base with a one-out walk, and then swiftly stole second. Yocke found a hole in center field to place runners on the corners, and Aull plated Dill with a fielder’s-choice chopper to second base.
The Blue Demons reclaimed the lead with a run off of a UK miscue in the bottom of the third. Bell allowed a leadoff walk and the runner would round home on a two-out fly ball into left field that the Wildcats’ mishandled making the score 2-1 in favor of the designated home team.
DePaul extended its lead by two following a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth.
Kentucky resumes action with a pair of games on Sunday. UK will first take on Memphis at 11 a.m. ET, before meeting North Florida to wrap-up the FIU Combat Classic at 1 p.m.
Live stats and complete coverage of the Wildcat softball team at the FIU Combat Classic can be found at UKathletics.com.
UK’s Complete Schedule at the FIU Combat Classic
Feb. 13 (Sun.) Memphis vs. Kentucky, 11 a.m.
Feb. 13 (Sun.) North Florida vs. Kentucky, 1 p.m.
