April 28, 2012
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 2 Florida forced a Sunday rubber game with Kentucky after capturing Saturday’s meeting by a 5-0 score. UK senior Brittany Cervantes remained hot at the plate with her third consecutive two-hit performance in the loss.
The teams will meet at Noon ET on Sunday to determine the series winner. With the loss, Kentucky falls to 25-27 overall and 11-13 in Southeastern Conference action. Florida improves to 43-7 and 20-4 in league action.
Florida struck for three runs in the home half of the first to grab an early 3-0 advantage. The Gators earned a leadoff solo homer before an error by the Wildcats placed a second runner on the base paths. The home squad then delivered a two-run homer to complete the scoring in the frame and grab a lead it would never surrender.
The home team added to its lead with a run in the bottom of the second to stretch the margin to 4-0. Florida had a lead runner reach on an erroneous throw by the Wildcats. Following a bunt single to shift her into scoring position, Michelle Moultrie delivered an RBI single into right field for the score.
The Gators struck for its final tally in the home half of the third to make the final 5-0 margin. Florida benefited from a leadoff double and the run would come around to score on a single into right field.
Cervantes began the afternoon by picking up her third hit of the series with a single up the middle. Junior Kara Dill shifted the runner into scoring position with a masterful sacrifice bunt, but UK would suffer consecutive outs with Cervantes still on second.
Sophomore Ginny Carroll opened the second inning by roping a double that laced the left field line. UK, however, dropped in order from there leaving another runner aboard on second base for the second consecutive inning.
Kentucky registered another hit in the top half of the fourth thanks to a one-out single that laced the left field line by sophomore Emily Jolly. The Wildcats would leave her standing at first with a pair of fly-outs to end the stanza.
In the bottom of the fourth it looked as if the Gators would rally for another score with a one-out single. But, senior relief pitcher Rachel Riley induced a gorgeous double-play to end the inning. The teams would then trade three-up and three-down frames in the fifth.
After the Wildcats fell in order in the top half of the sixth, Florida got a pair of base runners on in the home half of the inning thanks to a double and a hit by pitch. Riley held her ground, however, and got the next three outs to end the inning unscathed.
In the Wildcats final at-bat, freshman Sarah Frazer was able to reach after getting hit with a pitch. It marked the third consecutive game she would reach base during a plate appearance. UK would again strand the runner as the game closed on a strikeout.
For continuing coverage of the 2012 UK softball season, log on to UKathletics.com.
