March 27, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman pitcher Ellen Weaver pitched a one-hit shutout and senior Samantha DeMartine homered to lead No. 23/24 Kentucky to a 5-0 win over visiting Mississippi State on Sunday. With the win, Kentucky earned a sweep of the Bulldogs for the second time in three seasons.
The Wildcats improve to 22-7 overall on the season and 8-3 in Southeastern Conference action. Mississippi State drops to 15-17 overall and 5-5 in the SEC.
Weaver, making her second start in league play, was nearly flawless allowing just one hit and one walk to Mississippi State shortstop Ali Bainbridge in a complete-game shutout. UK’s lefty struck out seven and remains perfect on the season with a 6-0 record.
DeMartine led the bats with her fourth round tripper of the season to seal the win for UK in the fifth inning. Senior Megan Yocke had a triple and senior Meagan Aull drove in a run on a 1-for-3 day. Junior Brittany Cervantes scored twice after reaching base behind a pair of walks.
“Ellen Weaver did an excellent job on the mound and really kept their batters off balance,” UK coach Rachel Lawson said. “Our offense did a good job of executing and doing all of the little things right. It was a really good weekend for us, and we’re looking forward to getting back to work to prepare for Florida next week.”
The Blue and White struck for a run in the bottom of the first to plate what would become the winning run. Cervantes drew a two-out walk to begin the rally. Aull skied a deep fly ball that was muffed by Mississippi State’s left fielder to keep the inning alive and push both runners into scoring position. Freshman Lauren Cumbess loaded the bases by drawing a walk to set the stage for DeMartine. UK’s senior plated the first run of the game by drawing a bases-loaded walk for the 1-0 edge.
Kentucky scored three more runs during the home side of the second to increase its lead to 4-0. UK rallied for the three scores with two outs on the scoreboard.
Yocke tripled off the right-center wall to start the offensive onslaught. It was the first triple of the season for UK’s catcher. Sophomore Kara Dill scored Yocke with a single that laced the pitcher’s shin. Cervantes drew another walk to place two runners aboard. Dill then swiped third and during the relay the Bulldogs’ catcher tossed the ball into left field enabling the speedy Dill to continue home for the run. Aull would plate Cervantes with a single through the right side for the 4-0 advantage.
DeMartine’s solo long ball in the fifth with two outs marked the final tally of the game for the Blue and White to make the final 5-0 margin.
Kentucky will resume action with a three-game series at home against No. 2 Florida. The Gators and Wildcats will play a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on Friday, April 1 to begin the series.
Complete coverage of the UK softball team can be found at UKathletics.com all season long.
