April 23, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After a weekend of Southeastern Conference action in the state of Mississippi, the University of Kentucky softball team returns home for the first time in five games to take on the Morehead State Eagles in what will serve as the final midweek competition for the Wildcats in the 2012 season. The match-up will also serve as UK’s final chance to pick up a non-conference win, as the Cats final six games will be against SEC opponents.
UK finished off the week 2-3 a week ago, charting a midweek sweep of the Ole Miss Rebels on the road Wednesday before falling three consecutive times to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Two of the three losses on the weekend were in walk-off fashion, as UK suffered heartbreaking losses on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky previously earned wins over Ole Miss in a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday. The victories ensured the Wildcats as winners of the series for the fifth consecutive time.
Freshman Griffin Joiner shined in the Magnolia State with a .467 average and a quartet of doubles. Junior Alice O’Brien also broke out for a 6-for-11 (.545) weekend while driving in a team-leading four RBI. Sophomore Ellen Weaver also blasted a two-run home run against the Bulldogs.
Senior pitcher Rachel Riley earned a 1-1 record with a spectacular 0.53 ERA last week. She allowed just eight hits and two runs in 13.1 innings of action.
The Eagles enter Tuesday’s contest with a 12-31 record overall, including a 5-17 mark within the Ohio Valley Conference. MSU will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Amber Riddle leads the bats with a .357 average and a team-leading 10 home runs.
In the circle, Eagles are paced by Katie Pfost who owns a 3.00 ERA and 83 strikeouts despite owning a 4-12 overall record.
Fans are invited to sick around after the game, as the UK Athletics staff will be holding its annual Staff Home Run Derby following the conclusion of the game.
Following this final midweek affair, the Cats will head south to Gainesville, Fla., for a three-game SEC series beginning on Friday night at 6:00 pm. ET.
For continuing coverage of UK Softball and the 2012 season, log onto UKAthletics.com.
