Box Score
HENDERSON, Nev. - The University of Hawai`i softball team (1-6) was defeated in five innings by Kentucky, 8-0, tonight at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic at the Stephanie Lynn Craig softball complex.
A seven run first inning by the Wildcats, highlighted by a three run home run over the centerfield fence by Megan Yocke, put the game away early. Kentucky continued its rally with four more Wildcats crossing the plate later in the inning off an error, three singles and two walks.
The Wildcats tacked on another run in the third on an RBI triple down the third base line by Destinee Mordecai that drove in Samantha DeMartine.
The Rainbow Wahine's best chance to score came in the top of the fifth.
Tanisha Milca led the inning off with a single up the middle. After a strike out,
Clare Warwick laced a single to the fence in the leftfield corner. On the play, Milca sprinted all the way around the bases, but was cut down at the plate with a 7-6-2 relay.
Hawai`i had at least two runners on in four of the five innings, but was unable to sustain any rallys. The 'Bows were led by Milca who was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Hawai`i's
Melissa Gonzalez got the start, but was unable to finish first inning suffering her third loss of the season. She gave up seven runs, of which just three were earned, with two walks.
Stephanie Ricketts threw the final 3.1 innings of the game, giving up one run on two hits with two walks and four strike outs.
Kentucky's Amber Matousek (1-0) scattered four hits, walked two, and struck out seven en route to the win.
Note: The game between UH and UK was delayed over two hours. Temperatures at the SLC softball complex dipped into the 30's as the night wore on.
The Desert Classic continues tomorrow. Hawai`i's first game is at 3:45 pm against Oregon at SLC Field 2. The 'Bows then have the final game at Eller Media Stadium against Saint Louis at 8:15 pm.
-UH-
