March 20, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following a nine-game home stand and a second-place finish at the UK Invitational, the Kentucky softball team will embark on a four-game road swing that begins with a midweek tilt at Western Kentucky on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET.
Kentucky (12-15) turned in a second place finish with a jumpstart UAB team earning the title. Senior Brittany Cervantes sparked the Wildcat offense with three doubles and a home run. The game-winning blast against NC State to send the home team into the championship game of the tournament marked the 36th long ball of her career. That tally is the new standard in Wildcat allure.
Cervantes also quietly broke the UK career record for RBI with a pair on the weekend. She now has 137 career RBI which is also a Kentucky record.
Senior Chanda Bell was spectacular in the circle for the Wildcats in a two wins. In the victories, Bell tossed 9.2 innings of action and struck out 21 batters. Her 13 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout of UMKC marked the 33rd time in her career she has eclipsed 10 or more Ks in a single outing.
Sophomores Lauren Cumbess, Ellen Weaver, Ginny Carroll and Krystal Smith all contributed nicely to the offensive effort. Cumbess batted over .350 for the weekend. Weaver and Smith struck for home runs. While, Carroll had a two-run double and a round-tripper while driving in five two-out RBI on the weekend.
Western Kentucky owns an impressive 19-10 overall record heading into the midweek clash with the Wildcats. The Hilltoppers and Wildcats have faced one similar opponent this season in Florida Atlantic. Both of the squads have picked up victories over the Owls.
WKU has faced one other Southeastern Conference opponent thus far. South Carolina claimed an early season 5-4 win in eight innings of action over the Hilltoppers on neutral turf.
Western is paced by a trio of batters notching a .300 batting average or higher led by a .302 clip from the bat of Katrina Metoyer. Amanda Thomas has a team-high six home runs and Olivia Watkins reigns supreme on the base baths with 11 stolen bags on the season.
In the pitching circle, Kim Wagner boasts a 1.69 ERA and a 9-3 record. She’s also struck out 88 and limits opponents to a .213 batting average.
Following the trip to Western Kentucky, the Wildcats will remain on the road for a three-game swing at No. 18/21 Auburn for their second conference series of the season.
For continuing coverage of the 2012 UK softball season log on to UKathletics.com.
