April 3, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Exactly one week after their first matchup the Kentucky and Louisville softball teams will meet again, this time on the home field of the Cardinals for a midweek non-conference matchup slated for 6 p.m. ET. A week ago, the Cardinals traveled to Lexington with Louisville prevailing 1-0.
Kentucky (16-19) is coming off a three-game series at No. 9/10 Tennessee. The Blue and White captured the series opening win behind tremendous pitching from the duo of Ellen Weaver and Chanda Bell. Weaver secured her first conference win of the season with a five-inning performance. Bell entered in relief and preserved the save for the fourth of her career.
UK also received excellent offensive effort from junior Kara Dill who went 3-for-4 on the day. Dill posted her third single, double, triple game of the season in the win. Sophomore Ginny Carroll connected for her team-leading fifth homer with a solo shot in the sixth.
Sophomore Lauren Cumbess had a terrific week at the plate. Cumbess is riding a season-long five-game hitting streak after charting a hit in five consecutive at-bats against the Lady Vols. Two of those hits went for two bags.
A week ago the teams tangled at the UK Softball Complex with Louisville’s Kristin Austin’s solo homer earning the only score of the contest.
The Cardinals had been undefeated starting 27-0 on the year, but have since dropped two games at DePaul this weekend. Louisville now owns a 28-2 overall record.
The Cardinals are paced by Austin who is batting .410 on the season with 41 hits, 30 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Katie Keller has knocked in a team-high 25 RBI.
In the pitching circle, Tori Collins earned the victory a week ago over UK and possesses a 1.35 ERA with 108 strikeouts and a 13-1 record. Caralisa Connell is 10-1 on the season with a 1.80 ERA and 50 strikeouts tossed.
First pitch is set for 6 p.m. ET and Louisville’s WHAS will carry the game on television. Live stats and the most up-to-date information regarding the UK softball season can be found at UKathletics.com.
