End Doesn't Cloud Magical Softball Season, Bright Future

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 1, 2011) – In terms of heartbreaking comparisons, Sunday's 9-0 game three loss for the Kentucky softball team felt like standing someone up at the altar.

After gaining confidence, igniting 1,690 rowdy fans at the UK Softball Complex and run-ruling No. 7 California 8-0 in game two of the Lexington Super Regional, it looked like Kentucky might win two games in a row against the nation's most dominant pitcher and continue its historic march to the Women's College World Series (WCWS).

And then, with one questionable ball four and a five-run first inning, the pendulum swung and the bottom dropped out. By the time Cal's Elia Reid struck out to end the top of the first, nine hitters had come to the plate in a frame that completely changed the momentum of the game and ultimately the outcome.

To force a game three with a five-inning win in the second game of the series but lose 9-0 in game three was a devastating way to end a magical year.

"We pissed them off," senior catcher Megan Yocke said. "They came out angry (in Sunday's) second game. We came out on fire and made our adjustments in the first game. They did the same thing right back in the second game."

Both of Sunday's results were a bit of a surprise.

California pitcher Jolene Henderson entered game two of the series with a nation-best 0.78 ERA, 38 wins and an earned-run scoreless mark against UK in 21 innings of work. After two innings, however, she'd been tattooed for six hits and five earned runs, the most she'd given up this season.

Going into game three, many thought the Cats had not only gained insurmountable momentum and confidence, but there also appeared to be a notion that they'd figured out Henderson, a pitching Rubik's Cube.

Seven more innings of shutout ball later, everyone learned that was wrong...

For the complete story, click here to visit UK Athletics’ Cat Scratches Blog.

Stories about Kentucky Softball’s historic WCWS run on UKAthletics.com

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Historic Season Ends in Heartbreaking Loss