Sept. 15, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Coming off the most successful year in program history, the Kentucky softball team will play four exhibition games this fall. After advancing to and hosting the first Super Regional games in school history the Wildcats have now won 30 or more games in three consecutive seasons.

Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson enters her fifth season at the helm of the UK softball program. The Wildcats will host three doubleheaders in Lexington at the UK Softball Complex and will travel for a doubleheader at Marshall. First up to face Kentucky will be Georgetown College on Saturday, Oct. 1 with first pitch coming at 1 p.m.

Next in line will be the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky, Oct. 2, with first pitch at 1 p.m. That matchup will be followed by an Oct. 8 trip to Marshall University first pitch for the doubleheader with the Thundering Herd is set for 1 p.m.

UK will wrap up fall competition with a home doubleheader against Asbury Oct. 15, as first pitch is to be delivered at 1 p.m.

The Wildcats return 15 letterwinners from the record-breaking 40-16 team a year ago. UK is led by returning third baseman/catcher, senior Brittany Cervantes, who hit a team-leading 15 home runs and 52 RBI. The senior duo of pitchers Chanda Bell and Rachel Riley are the winningest pitching combination in Kentucky softball history.

UK also welcomes back All-SEC shortstop, junior Kara Dill and All-SEC Freshman team second baseman, sophomore Emily Jolly. In addition, the Wildcats will return sophomore pitchers Lauren Cumbess and Ellen Weaver, who combined for a 12-3 record in their first seasons in the circle.

Kentucky will also gain two highly touted freshmen to the 2012 squad in Kara Howard and Griffin Joiner and they are expected to see game action during these four fall matchups.

All home games are to be played at the UK Softball Complex.

Follow along with the UK softball program all season long at UKathletics.com