Behind the pitching of seniors Chanda Bell and Rachel Riley, UK swept Ole Miss (16-26, 3-16 SEC) in Wednesday’s doubleheader to reach (23-23, 10-9 SEC) once again on the season.

UK’s offense was led by the hot hitting of freshman Griffin Joiner and junior Alice O’Brien, who combined for seven hits and six RBI during the evening, most of which came in game two, according to a UK Athletics news release.

Ole Miss’ one run in the first inning of game one set the pace until the Cats struck in the top of the fifth.

Senior Brittany Cervantes connected for a two-out double off the top of the fence in left-center field. A single by junior Kara Dill scored Cervantes, and she advanced to second in the process on a throwing error by the Rebels.

The Cats plated their second run on a single by Riley through the left side of the field.

An insurance run gave UK a 3-1 advantage in the top of the seventh on a single by O’Brien, scoring Dill from third.

The late-game run production gained steam heading into game two of the series with UK putting five runs across the plate in the top half of the first and second innings.

Three runs in the first got rolling with a walk of Cervantes by Rebels’ junior pitcher Erinn Jayjohn. Singles by Dill and Riley loaded the bases for a RBI single by sophomore Lauren Cumbess.

Joiner picked up the Cats’ fourth consecutive hit to put them ahead 2-0.

Two batters later, O’Brien singled to right for the inning’s last run.

Cervantes’ seventh homer in her past 10 games highlighted an additional two runs in the second. The second run came on another RBI single by O’Brien after two walks loaded the bases.

Already up 5-0, the Cats added three more in the fourth to obtain their eight run tally.

An error by Ole Miss put Riley on, and she moved into scoring position following the walk drawn by Cumbess. Riley’s pinch runner, freshman Sarah

Frazer, made her way home on a double by Joiner that dropped over the head of the Rebel’s center fielder. Cumbess followed her on the base path with the help of an errant throw by the Ole Miss shortstop.

The game’s final run occurred on a wild pitch that gave Joiner time to make her way across home plate.

Next up for UK will be a trip further south to Starkville, Miss. for a three-game set against Mississippi State. Game one has an opening pitch time of 6 p.m.

Eastern time Friday. Game two will air on ESPNU Saturday at 1 p.m. The series concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

STAFF REPORT