April 17, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After capturing a series win over Georgia for just the second time in program history, the Kentucky softball team will embark on a five-game road swing in the state of Mississippi this week. Up first for UK is a doubleheader with Ole Miss on Wednesday, before a three-game set at Mississippi State this weekend.
Kentucky (21-23, 8-9 Southeastern Conference) and Ole Miss will meet for a 5 p.m. ET first pitch in the opening game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. The second game will take place approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game.
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Cumbess was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week after tossing her first career no-hitter in the series-clinching victory over Georgia. Cumbess allowed just five base runners and became the first pitcher to earn a no-hitter against the Bulldogs since former Tennessee All-American Monica Abbott turned the trick in 2007. Cumbess is just the second Wildcat to earn the top-performing pitcher honor from the conference office in school history.
Fellow sophomore Emily Jolly also had a tremendous week with a .500 average, a team-high five runs scored and a pair of homers. Senior Brittany Cervantes has homered in six of UK’s last eight outings while also driving in 11 runs and tapping home nine times.
The Wildcats are in a chase for a spot in the SEC Tournament and are gearing to make a run at a fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The road swing through The Magnolia State will be important for UK who sits two-games below .500 with 12 games remaining including 11 against conference opponents.
Ole Miss owns a 16-24 overall record and a 3-14 mark in conference action. The Rebels are paced by a .365 average from the bat of RT Cantillo. Cantillo is also a perfect 12-for-12 on stolen base attempts this season. In the pitching circle, Ole Miss is led by a 12-12 record from Kendall Bruning who also claims a 4.12 ERA and a team-high 111 strikeouts.
The Rebels have charted a 26-14 all-time record against Kentucky. However, the Blue and White has owned the series as of late charting series wins in each of the previous four matchups. The squads did not play a season ago with a doubleheader being canceled in Lexington. UK is 6-3 against Ole Miss under the direction of Rachel Lawson.
For continuing coverage of the 2012 UK softball season, log on to UKathletics.com.
