March 15, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky will continue to take a break from Southeastern Conference action when it plays host to the UK Invitational this weekend at the UK Softball Complex.
The Wildcats welcome in UMKC, UAB and NC State for a four-team three-day tournament. The teams will all face one another once before being seeded for a mini-tournament over the final four games of the weekend.
UK dropped a midweek contest to Western Illinois in its last time out. Sophomore Ginny Carroll hit a two-run homer to provide an offensive spark for the Wildcats. Sophomores Ellen Weaver and Lauren Cumbessboth turned in two-hit performances.
The UMKC Roos enter the weekend with a 10-7 overall record. Kaelene Curry leads the offensive output with a .412 average and 21 hits. Cinda Ramos is the leader in the pitching circle with a 7-2 record and a team-low 1.62 ERA.
UMKC and the Wildcats have not faced any similar opponents and UK owns an all-time record of 1-0 over the Roos. The last meeting came during the 2004 season.
NC State currently has a 12-13 overall record that includes an upset of SEC-foe Georgia in the early stages of the season.
The Wolfpack are led by a .333 batting average from Renada Davis. She’s also knocked in three homers as the Pack has combined to hit 16 as a team thus far.
Kentucky and NC State have not faced any similar opponents and this will mark the first meeting on the diamond in school history.
The UAB Blazers own an 11-10 overall record thus far into the young season. UAB is led at the dish by Mandy Lowman who is batting .451 with a team-high five homers. Lannah Campbell leads the pitchers with a 5-3 record and a team-low 1.52 ERA.
UK and UAB share two common opponents thus far with both squads dropping contests to Maryland and Alabama. This weekend’s meeting with the Cats will mark a program first.
Live stats for the entire tournament will be available at UKathletics.com. UK’s homepage will also offer live video streaming of games involving Kentucky.
Complete 2012 UK Invitational Schedule
| Time | Home | Away | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Mar. 16 | |||
| 11 a.m. | N.C. State 6 | Missouri-Kansas City 3 | Gametracker |
| 1 p.m. | Missouri-Kansas City 1 | UAB 5 | Gametracker |
| 3 p.m. | Kentucky 3 | N.C. State 6 | Gametracker | Live Video |
| 5 p.m. | Kentucky 5 | UAB 6 | Gametracker | Live Video |
| Saturday, Mar. 17 | |||
| 11 a.m. | UAB 3 | N.C. State 1 | Gametracker |
| 1 p.m. | Kentucky 4 | Missouri-Kansas City 0 | Gametracker | Live Video |
| 3 p.m. | #1 UAB | #4 Missouri-Kansas City | Gametracker |
| 5 p.m. | #2 N.C. State | #3 Kentucky | Gametracker | Live Video |
| Sunday, Mar. 18 | |||
| 11 a.m. | Consolation: N.C. State vs. Missouri-Kansas City | Gametracker | |
| 1 p.m. | Championship: UAB vs, Kentucky | Gametracker | Live Video | |
