Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Kentucky remained steady at No. 23 in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll, released Tuesday.

Over the weekend, the Wildcats (22-7 overall, 8-3 SEC) swept Mississippi State for the second time in three seasons.

Alabama (33-2, 9-1 SEC) held on to first place for a second week in a row. Despite suffering its first SEC loss of the season and second loss overall, 4-1 to Tennessee, the Crimson Tide received 19 of 20 first-place votes — the most for any team this season.

Tennessee (27-5, 5-3 SEC) climbed one spot in the poll to No. 10.

Another significant move involving SEC teams saw Georgia (27-4, 8-3) vault from No. 4 to No. 2. The Bulldogs swept then-No. 2 Florida, the first time the Gators have been swept in a three-game home series since 2006. Florida (30-4, 7-3) dropped to No. 5 in the poll.

ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25

March 29 – March 21-27, 2011 – Week Seven

Parenthesis Denotes first place votes.

Dropped Out:  LSU
New to Poll: Georgia Tech

Others receiving votes:  LSU (22); Northern Iowa (14); Long Beach State (8); Fresno State (5); Ala. Birmingham (4); Brigham Young (3); North Carolina (2); San Diego State (2); Notre Dame (1); Maryland (1)

UK Coach Gary Henderson brought in closer Matt Little to open the bottom of the ninth. Attendance is reported at 4,039, a U of L regular-season record and fourth-largest all-time at Patterson Stadium. Little, a right-hander, got Drew Haynes to ground out to second. Jeff Arnold singled up the middle and Adam Duvall was hit by a pitch. That brought Andrew Clark to the plate with the potential tying run. His double to left-center scored Arnold and put Duvall on third with one out. Ryan Wright brought both runners home with a bloop single to right-center. Make the score 9-9, one on, one out and U of L home-run leader Phil Wunderlich stepping to the plate. Wunderlich lined a single to left, pushing Wright up to second. With Little behind Stewart Ijams 2-0, UK Coach Gary Henderson went to his bullpen and righty Braden Kapteyn. Two quick balls, the second sailing to the screen, loaded the bases. Zak Wasserman lined a 1-0 pitch over shortstop to drive in Wright with the game-winning run. Final totals:

Kentucky   9-12-0
Louisville 10-17-3

UK scores five in top of ninth

With one out in the top of the ninth, consecutive singles by Chris Bisson, Chad Wright and Gunner Glad scored a run to cut Louisville’s lead to 6-5. Lance Ray doubled to right, driving in Wright with the tying run. An intentional walk to Keenan Wiley loaded the bases for pinch-hitter Navarro Hall, who walked on four pitches to force Glad in with the go-ahead run. Cory Farris hit a potential double play ball to second baseman Ryan Wright, who flipped to shortstop Adam Duvall for an out. Duvall’s relay to first, though, was both late and off target, the ball going into the U of L dugout. That allowed Ray and Wiley to score, and Farris to advance to second. Marcus Nidiffer fanned to end the frame. Going to the bottom of the ninth: Kentucky 9, Louisville 6.

Eighth inning

U of L brought Tony Zych in to pitch. A single and two hit batsmen loaded the bases for UK with two outs in the eighth. Neil Holland came out of the bullpen to strike out Marcus Nidiffer, though, ending the threat. Louisville pushed the lead to 6-4 when Phil Wunderlich led off with his 14th homer of the season. Going to the ninth inning: Louisville 6, Kentucky 4.

Seventh inning

U of L made a pair of defensive changes. Right-hander Justin Amlung took over on the mound and Drew Fitzpatrick replaced Kyle Grieshaber in left field. Amlung retired Cory Farris, but walked Luke Maile. Neiko Johnson came in to run for Maile. With Johnson running, U of L called for a pitchout, but the ball slipped out of catcher Jeff Arnold’s hand as he prepared to throw. One out later, Chris Bisson cranked a no-doubt home run to right. His third homer of the season cut Louisville’s lead to 5-4 and knocked out Amlung. Left-hander Dean Kiekhefer took over on the mound. He got Chad Wright on a grounder to third. In the bottom half, Marcus Nidiffer took over catching duties for UK. Jeff Arnold led off for U of L with an infield single to the hole at short. A groundout moved him to second, but Andrew Clark was called out on strikes and Ryan Wright groundout out. After seven innings: Louisville 5, Kentucky 4.

Sixth inning

Kentucky went down in order for the first time in the game. The Wildcats changed pitchers to open the bottom of the inning, turning to right-hander Sam Kidd. After getting one out, Kidd hit a batter and walked one, U of L’s first free bases of the game. So UK Coach Gary Henderson brought right-hander Nick Kennedy in from the bullpen. U of L Coach Dan McDonnell countered with a left-handed pinch-hitter, Zak Wasserman. His single to right loaded the bases. Phil Wunderlich scored from third on a passed ball, barely beating the throw from catcher Luke Maile to Kennedy. One out later, Drew Haynes’ shot up the middle deflected off Kennedy’s glove into left field. Stewart Ijames and Wasserman both scored, although Haynes was out when he tried to advance to second on the throw to the plate.  After six innings: Louisville 5, Kentucky 2.

Fifth inning

UK’s Chad Wright had a one-out single negated when Gunner Glad grounded into a double play. UK lefty Mike Kaczmarek retired the only batter he faced in the bottom of the inning. UK Coach Gary Henderson then went with a righty, Walter Wijas. Jeff Arnold put down a bunt single but was stranded there. After five innings: Kentucky 2, Louisville 2.

Fourth inning

Cade Stallings

Both teams changed pitchers to open the inning, calling on lefties. The Cardinals went with Bob Revesz, the Wildcats with Mike Kaczmarek. UK’s Cory Farris lined a one-out single but was caught by center fielder Drew Haynes when he tried to leg out a double. Luke Maile walked but was stranded. U of L’s Andrew Clark, Ryan Wright and Phil Wunderlich welcomed Kaczmarek with consecutive singles to load the bases. Clark scored when Stewart Ijames grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Cade Stallings doubled down the left-field line to plate Wright. A groundout ended the inning and left the score tied. After four innings: Kentucky 2, Louisville 2.

Third inning

UK wasted a two-out double by Lance Ray. U of L got a two-out hit from Adam Duvall, but left-fielder Chad Wright nailed him trying to stretch the hit to a double. After three innings: Kentucky 2, Louisville 0.

Second inning

Chris Bisson

Lance Ray

UK added another unearned run. With one out, Michael Williams reached first base when right fielder Stewart Ijames unsuccessfully tried to fend off the sun and instead dropped the ball for an error. Cory Farris singled through the right side, moving Williams to second. Luke Maile blooped an RBI-single down the right-field line, with Farris advancing to third. A fielder’s choice tapper and fly out prevented further damage. In the bottom of the inning, Ryan Wright led off with an infield single, took second on Phil Wunderlich’s single through the left side and moved to third on Ijames’ lineout to center. Cade Stallings struck out, though, and Kyle Grieshaber was robbed of a hit to end the inning. UK second baseman Chris Bisson went behind the bag and first baseman Lance Ray made the stretch and scoop on snare Bisson’s throw. After two innings: Kentucky 2, Louisville 0.

First inning

Kentucky struck for an unearned run. Gunner Glad reached on a two-out ground-rule double that one-hopped the wall in right field. Lance Ray struck out, but the wild pitch by Derek Self got past catcher Jeff Arnold and went back to the screen. Arnold’s throw to first baseman Andrew Clark was high, but second baseman Ryan Wright backed up the play and caught the ball on the fly. Glad never hesitated and continued around third for the plate. Wright’s throw home, where Self was covering, was too late to nab the sliding Wildcat. Ray was caught stealing for the third out. UK right-hander Jordan Self retired the Cardinals in order, getting a pair of groundouts and an infield fly. After one inning: Kentucky 1, Louisville 0.

Pre-game

It’s 63 degrees and mostly sunny at Patterson Stadium in Louisville, where Kentucky is visiting U of L’s 12th-ranked Cardinals.

UK is looking for a season sweep, having won 5-0 three weeks ago at Lexington.

A ceremonial first pitch has been thrown by U of L (and former UK) basketball coach Rick Pitino – high and inside if a right-hander had been at the plate.

The starting lineups:

KENTUCKY (23-17) — Chris Bisson 2B, Chad Wright LF, Gunner Glad 3B, Lance Ray 1B, Keenan Wiley CF, Michael Williams DH, Cory Farris RF, Luke Maile C, Taylor Black SS. Pitching: RH Jordan Cooper (2-3, 6.49).

LOUISVILLE (32-7) — Jeff Arnold C, Adam Duvall SS, Andrew Clark 1B, Ryan Wright 2B, Phil Wunderlich 3B, Stewart Ijames RF, Cade Stallings DH, Kyle Grieshaber LF, Drew Haynes CF. Pitching: RH Derek Self (6-0, 3.95).

UMPIRES – Keith Shartzer HP, Bryan Donnelly 1B, Scott Kennedy 3B.

Cally Macumber

Kentucky’s Cally Macumber is Female Freshman of the Week in Southeastern Conference track and field, while Eastern Kentucky’s Soufiane Bouchikhi and Kat Pagano have been honored by the Ohio Valley Conference. All three athletes competed at last weekend’s 116th Penn Relays.

Macumber, from Rochester Hills, Mich., lowered her personal best for 5,000 meters by more than 20 seconds, placing 14th in Penn’s college championship division with a time of 16:43.61. That boosts her to the top five in the SEC this season.

Soufiane Bouchikhi

Bouchikhi, a freshman from Antwerp, Belgium, is OVC Male Track Co-Athlete of the Week. Pagano, a junior from Hollis, Maine, is OVC Female Track Co-Athlete of the Week.

Bouchikhi placed second, nosed out at the finish by William and Mary’s Lewis Woodard, in the 5,000-meter run. Bouchikhi crossed the line in 14:01.71, two-hundredths of a second behind Woodard. That leads the OVC this season by nearly 40 seconds, trailed by teammate David Mutuse in 14:40.71.

Kat Pagano

Pagano set a school record of 36:06.00 for 10,000 meters, placing 14th. The time is the fastest of the season in the OVC by nearly two minutes. The former EKU record of 36:13.15 was set by Sarah Blossom in 1999.

Other SEC weekly award winners are: Tennessee senior Phoebe Wright (Female Runner); Florida senior Mariam Kevkhishvili (Female Field Athlete); LSU sophomore Barrett Nugent (Male Runner); LSU junior Walter Henning (Male Field Athlete), and Florida’s Omar Craddock (Male Freshman). All competed at the Penn Relays.

Wright (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) led Tennessee to wins in the distance medley (2:02.12 800-meter split), 4-by-1,500 (4:17.3 anchor) and 4-by-800 (meet-record 2:00.89 anchor) relays.

Kevkhishvili (Tbilisi, nation of Georgia) captured the shot put (59-7 1/2) with the third-best mark in meet history.

Nugent (Maurice, La.) won the 110-meter hurdles (13.58). His time is a personal best, fastest in the SEC this season and ranks third in the NCAA.

Henning (Kings Park, N.Y.) won his second straight Penn hammer throw (237-9) — by more than 22 feet — and was named College Men’s Individual Athlete of the Meet.

Craddock (Kileen, Texas) snared triple jump honors (53-3 1/2), defeating the nation’s top two ranked individuals (Alphonso Gordon of Georgia Tech and Zuheir Sharif of Texas A&M). 

Other OVC weekly award winners are Southeast Missouri seniors Chris Gill (Male Track Co-Athlete), Juli Koenegstein (Female Track Co-Athlete) and Brandon Colbert (Male Field Athlete), and Austin Peay senior Molly Bartkiewicz (Female Field Athlete).

Gill (O’Fallon, Mo.) placed first at 400 meters (OVC-leading 47.64) at the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Twilight Meet.

Koenegstein (Chester, Ill.) placed ninth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (OVC-leading 10:48.93) at the Drake Relays.

Colbert (Troy, Mo.) had three top 20 finishes at Drake — second in the discus (OVC-leading 175-0), ninth in the shot put (53-7 3/4) and 18th in the hammer throw (181-6).

Bartkiewicz (Westlake, Ohio) placed third at Penn, clearing 12-10 in the pole vault.

In the ninth, Michael Williams took over at catcher for Kentucky, batting in the eighth spot. Alabama’s Jake Smith reached on a one-out single and took second on a wild pitch. David Kindred singled off the glove of pitcher Matt Little, Smith moving to third. Brett Booth came in to run for Kindred, but Little immediately picked him off, 1-3-6. Andrew Miller’s infield single, a high hopper over Little’s head, scored Smith. Miller moved up a base on Brock Bennett’s single to right. Little plunked Taylor Dugas, loading the bases and prompting another pitching change — RH Braden Kapteyn, who was already in the lineup at DH. Josh Rutledge swung at Kapteyn’s first pitch, flying out to second baseman Chris Bisson in shallow right. In the bottom of the ninth, Cory Farris flied to center. Bisson doubled to right-center, bringing Chad Wright to the plate with the potential tying run. Wright lined out to left, though. On a 3-2 pitch, Gunner Glad took a called third strike on the inside corner.

Final totals
Alabama 11 runs, 14 hits 2 errors
Kentucky 9 runs, 17 hits, 2 errors

Eight inning: Alabama takes lead with 5-run inning

Cory Farris stayed in the game for UK, taking Neiko Johnson’s spot in right field. Jon Kelton led off the inning for Alabama with a double to right-center. Jake Smith singled up the middle, advancing Kelton to third. RH Jordan Cooper came in from the UK bullpen, taking over from Nick Kennedy. David Kindred’s double down the right-field line scored Kelton and moved Smith the third. Andrew Miller’s infield single to shortstop scored Smith. Brock Bennett put down a bunt, fielded by Cooper. Chris Bisson, covering at first, simply dropped Cooper’s toss for an error and loading the bases with nobody out. Everybody moved up on Taylor Dugas’ bounce-out to second base, Kindred crossing the plate to cut UK’s lead to 9-8. RH Matt Little came in from the UK bullpen. Josh Rutledge blooped a two-run single to center, giving the Tide a 10-9 lead. A wild pickoff attempt by Little moved Rutledge to second. Little retired the next two batters, though, to hold Alabama to nine batters in the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Alabama went with its sixth pitcher of the day, RH Nathan Kilcrease. Andy Burns just missed a homer, sending left-fielder Kelton to the warning track for a long out. Braden Kapteyn walked, then advanced two bases on Keenan Wiley’s single to right. Taylor Black took a called third strike. With Lance Ray hitting for Marcus Nidiffer, Wiley stole second without a play. But Ray struck out. After eight innings: Alabama 10, Kentucky 9.

Seventh inning: Both sides strand runners

Alabama’s Taylor Dugas knocked a one-out single to right. UK Coach Gary Henderson called on RH Nick Kennedy to relieve LH Mike Kaczmarek. A wild pitch put Dugas in scoring position. One out later, Ross Wilson battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk. Kennedy got Clay Jones to bounce to short for an inning-ending force play at second. Cory Farris pinch-hit for Neiko Johnson and flied out to open the bottom of the inning. Chris Bisson drew a walk. One out later, he stole second and took third on a wild pitch. However, Gunner Glad struck out. After seven innings: Kentucky 9, Alabama 5.

Sixth inning: Slam highlights Bama’s 5-run inning

Jake Smith

After a long rest in the dugout, RH Alex Meyer walked Alabama leadoff man Taylor Dugas and added a base via a wild pitch.  Josh Rutledge singled up the middle, moving Dugas to third. After a visit from Coach Gary Henderson, Meyer got Ross Wilson on a fly to shallow right, but walked Clay Jones to load the bases. Henderson then went to the bullpen, calling on LH Mike Kaczmarek. He hit Jon Kelton with a pitch, forcing in Dugas with the Tide’s first run. Jake Smith then ripped a 1-2 pitch over the center-field wall, his second career grand slam against UK and his fourth slam overall. Kaczmarek got the next two batters to end a five-run, two-hit inning. In the bottom half, Alabama went to its fifth pitcher of the game, RH Tyler White. Braden Kapteyn led off with his third hit of the game, a single to center. Kapteyn moved up on Keenan Wiley’s bunt and Taylor Black’s groundout, but was stranded at third. After six innings: Kentucky 9, Alabama 5.

Fifth inning: UK bats around in six-run inning

Alex Meyer

Wildcats RHP Alex Meyer continued to cruise, setting Alabama down in order. Then UK built on its lead. Andy Burns led off with a triple to the left-field corner, then came home on Braden Kapteyn’s second RBI-single of the game. Keenan Wiley beat out a bunt single, putting runners on first and second. Taylor Black also put down a bunt — which LHP David Head threw into right field for a run-scoring, two-base error. When the throw to second was bobbled by shortstop Josh Rutledge, for a second error on the play, Wiley also scored. The Crimson Tide changed pitchers, bringing in LH Matt Taylor. He beaned Marcus Nidiffer. Neiko Johnson’s bunt moved runners to second and third. One out later, Chad Wright came through with his third hit of the game, a two-run single to left, and took second base on the throw. Wright scored on Gunner Glad’s third hit of the game, a single up the middle. Burns, who led off the inning, lined out to right. After five innings: Kentucky 9, Alabama 0.

Taylor Black

Fourth inning: Wildcats stretch lead to 3-0

Alabama got its second hit of the game, by Jon Kelton, and like the first one it was a double. It came with two outs, though, and RH Alex Meyer struck out Jake Smith for the second time to strand Kelton. Taylor Black led off the UK half of the inning with his fourth homer of the season, the ball glancing off the top of the left-field wall. Marcus Nidiffer followed with a single to left, his second hit in as many at-bats. That knocked out RH Tucker Hawley, who was replaced by LH David Head. Neiko Johnson bunted Nidiffer to second. One out later, Chad Wright sent an RBI-double to the right-field corner. Wright was stranded. After four innings: Kentucky 3, Alabama 0.

Third inning: UK strikes first

Braden Kapteyn

Alabama’s Taylor Dugas drew a two-out, full-count walk. He moved to second on a balk by Alex Meyer. But Josh Rutledge, who doubled in the first inning, grounded out to shortstop. UK got a two-out single by Gunner Glad, making him 2-for-2. Andy Burns walked on four pitches. Braden Kapteyn’s single to left plated Glad, moved Burns to second and finished Bama LH Taylor Wolfe. Coach Mitch Gaspard summoned RH Tucker Hawley from the bullpen. He got Keenan Wiley to fly to center. After three innings, Kentucky 1, Alabama 0.

Second inning: Meyer in control

RH Alex Meyer retired Alabama in order. Included was a strikeout, his third of the game. LH Taylor Wolfe set down the first two Kentucky batters, before Marcus Nidiffer doubled to left. Neiko Johnson struck out to end the threat. After two innings, no score.

First inning: Cats waste scoring chance

Alabama got a one-out double from Josh Rutledge, but RH Alex Meyer was otherwise in contol and Rutledge was stranded. In the bottom of the inning, Chris Bisson led off with a swinging-bunt single and advanced to second on Chad Wright’s single up the middle. Bisson was picked off by catcher Brock Bennett, a play that would end up costing a run. Gunner Glad made it three singles in a row, lining a 3-2 pitch to left. Wright needed every bit of his considerable speed to make it safely to third. Glad stole second as Andy Burns took a full-count pitch for a strike. Braden Kapteyn flied out to right. After one inning, no score.

Pre-game: UK goes for sweep

It’s a beautiful Sunday for baseball in the Cliff Hagan Stadium neighborhood — sunny, 67 degrees with a 6 mph breeze from right field to left.

Kentucky (21-11, 4-7 Southeastern Conference) is trying for a three-game sweep of Alabama (20-11, 4-7). Game time is 1 p.m.

The Wildcats pulled out a 7-6 victory Friday night and won 8-2 Saturday.

Starting lineups

ALABAMA — CF Taylor Dugas; SS Josh Rutledge; 2B Ross Wilson; 1B Clay Jones; LF Jon Kelton; 3B Jake Smith; DH David Kindred; RF Andrew Miller; C Brock Bennett. Pitching: LH Taylor Wolfe (2-1, 4.01).

KENTUCKY  — 2B Chris Bisson; LF Chad Wright; 1B Gunner Glad; 3B Andy Burns; DH Braden Kapteyn; CF Keenan Wiley; SS Taylor Black; C Marcus Nidiffer; RF Neiko Johnson. Pitching: RH Alex Meyer (4-2, 7.64).

UMPIRES – HP Richie Tallent; 1B Donald Gilmore; 3B Mark Chapman.

Aided by another outstanding play by SS Taylor Black, UK’s Nick Kennedy set down Louisville in order in the ninth. Final score: Kentucky 5, Louisville 0.

Eighth inning

Mike Kaczmarek

Attendance is announced as a season-high 3,810. After getting the first out — making it 11 in a row — UK’s Mike Kaczmarek was touched up for a double by Mike Morrison, who was hitting for Drew Fitzpatrick. RF Cory Farris broke in, then slipped when he tried to reverse course. Jarred Clarkson came in to run for Morrison. A groundout moved Clarkson to third. That was all for Kaczmarek, who retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced. Coach Gary Henderson brought in RH Nick Kennedy, who caught Ryan Wright looking at strike three. Clarkson stayed in the game in left field, and RH Tony Zych became U of L’s seventh pitcher of the night. UK went down in order. Going to the ninth inning, Kentucky leads Louisville 5-0.

Seventh inning

Sixth inning

Marcus Nidiffer

For the second inning in a row, LH Mike Kaczmarek retired Louisville 1-2-3. The second out, by Phil Wunderlich, saw UK’s Taylor Black and Gunner Glad combine on the defensive gem of the game. Black, the shortstop, ranged to the second-base side of the bag to glove the hard-hit grounder. Glad made a big stretch towards right field in order to snag Black’s hurried throw. U of L again went to the bullpen to start the bottom of the inning, going with LH Brian Feekin. Black ripped a two-out double to the gap in right-center. Marcus Nidiffer stroked the next pitch for an RBI-single to left. An errant pickoff throw by Feekin moved Nidiffer to second, and Louisville went to its sixth pitcher of the game, RH Matt Koch. He fanned Andy Burns to end the frame. At the end of six innings, Kentucky leads Louisville 6-0.

Fifth inning

Gunner Glad

UK lefty Mike Kaczmarek set Louisville down in order in the fifth. After retiring Marcus Nidiffer on a fly to center, U of L’s Justin Amlung was replaced on the mound by RH Matt Lea. He promptly walked Andy Burns and fired a wild pitch to put Burns on second. Chad Wright worked the count full, then went the other way with a run-scoring single to left. U of L Coach Dan McDonnell went to his bullpen again, bringing in RH Gabriel Shaw. Chris Bisson was retired on a very close play at first, with Wright advancing to second. Gunner Glad then drove the first pitch offered by Shaw for a two-run homer to left. Glad may have missed first base, but a few steps later reversed direction to make sure he touched. The homer was his seventh of the season and marks the fifth game in his last six that he has homered. At the end of five, Kentucky 4, Louisville 0.

Fourth inning

Keenan Wiley

U of L’s Phil Wunderlich led off with a hard-luck double. Hard luck because he hit it to the only spot in right field where the ball would stay in the park — at the very top of the 30-foot wall that once upon a time was a scoreboard. UK’s Jordan Cooper got Jeff Arnold on a called third strike, and Stewart Ijames was retired when CF Keenan Wiley raced in to make a diving catch of a sinking liner. Zak Wasserman worked an 11-pitch walk, with Cooper already trotting for the dugout, convinced he had a strikeout. Coach Gary Henderson brought LH Mike Kaczmarek in to retire Drew Haynes on a fly to left. In the bottom of the inning, Louisville RH Justin Amlung took over from Tyler Mathis on the mound. After retiring the first two Wildcats he faced, Amlung hit Cory Farris with a pitch. Wiley doubled down the right-field line. Farris might have stopped at third, but the cutoff through skipped through the infield and gave him time to score. Wiley stole third, but was stranded there. Through four innings, Kentucky 1, Louisville 0. 

Third inning

U of L leadoff man Kyle Grieshaber put one out of the park down the left-field line, barely foul. U of L coach Dan McDonnell argued that the ball curved around the foul pole. Grieshaber then grounded out to shortstop. Adam Duvall was hit by a pitch, but was stranded at first. U of L made defensive changes, shifting Grieshaber from left field to second base, Ryan Wright from second base to shortstop, and Drew Fitzpatrick entering the game in left, batting in Duvall’s No. 2 slot. UK notched its first hit when Marcus Nidiffer drove a one-out single through the left side of the infield. No. 9 hitter Andy Burns then coaxed a walk. Chad Wright’s bounce-out moved the runners to second and third. Chris Bisson struck out on a full-count pitch, ending the threat. Through three innings, no score.

Second inning

U of L got a two-out infield single from Zak Wasserman but did no damage. Cardinals RH Tyler Mathis set Kentucky down in order. Through two innings, no score.

First inning

UK basketball seniors Ramon Harris, Mark Krebs and Perry Stevenson threw the ceremonial first pitches — simultaneously to three catchers.

Louisville loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, thanks to a throwing error by 3B Andy Burns, a walk and Ryan Wright’s bloop single. RHP Jordan Cooper escaped, though, getting Phil Wunderlich to ground into a 4-6-3 double play (Chris Bisson to Taylor Black to Gunner Glad). Going to the bottom of the first, no score.

In the bottom of the first, UK leadoff man Chad Wright was hit by a pitch. He was caught stealing, though, catcher Jeff Arnold to SS Adam Duvall. The next two Wildcats flied out. At the end of one inning, 0-0.

Seventh-ranked Louisville is in Lexington to take on Kentucky in a non-conference baseball game at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

Starting lineups

LOUISVILLE (23-4) — Kyle Grieshaber, lf; Adam Duvall ss; Andrew Clark 1b; Ryan Wright 2b; Phil Wunderlich 3b; Jeff Arnold c; Stewart Ijames rf; Zak Wasserman dh; Drew Haynes cf. Pitching: RH Tyler Mathis (0-0, 0.00).

KENTUCKY (18-11) — Chad Wright lf; Chris Bisson 2b; Gunner Glad 1b; Braden Kapteyn dh; Cory Farris rf; Keenan Wiley cf; Taylor Black ss; Marcus Nidiffer c; Andy Burns 3b. Pitching: RH Jordan Cooper (1-1, 5.70).

UMPIRES — Scott Kennedy, HP; Keith Shartzer, 1B; Bryan Donnelly, 3B.

Gary Henderson

Comments from Kentucky baseball coach Gary Henderson on the Wildcats’ 11-6 victory over Xavier, Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Marcus Nidiffer

Kentucky 11, Xavier 6: UK defensive changes in the seventh: Marcus Nidiffer (pinch-hitter) remained in the game as catcher; Gunner Glad moved from third base to first; Andy Burns took over at third, batting in the No. 7 slot where 1B Lance Ray had been. Nothing for Xavier in the top of the inning.

Chad Wright

The Wildcats got a one-out single up the middle by Lance Ray. Marcus Nidiffer, pinch-hitting for Luke Maile, flied to center. Ray moved to second when Taylor Black was nicked by a pitch. Ray and Black scored on Chad Wright’s second double of the game, this one to the left-field corner. Wright came home on Chris Bisson’s third hit of the game, a sharp single to right-center. Bisson advanced on his second steal of the game and Braden Kapteyn walked. Xavier went to the bullpen, calling on 6-foot-5, 260-pound RH Zac Richard, who escaped further damage.

Kentucky 6, Xavier 5: In the fifth, Xavier greeted reliever Kyle Jackson with back-to-back singles up the middle by Bobby Freking and Phil Bauer. Freking was forced at third when Matt Kleifges tried to bunt the runners ahead. Ryan Bellamy singled to shallow left, which should have loaded the bases. When Chad Wright bobbled the ball in left, though, Bauer was able to score. Nick Kennedy came in to take over from Jackson on the mound. Kennedy caught Bellamy straying from first but Bellamy broke for second and 1B Lance Ray’s throw to second hit the runner in the back. Kennedy caught Seth Willoughby looking at a third strike, but walked John McCambridge to load the bases. Kennedy left the bases jammed, striking out Drew Schmidt.

Taylor Black

Kentucky 6, Xavier 4 — With one out in the top of the fourth, Xavier’s John McCambridge reached on a bunt single, stole second and took third on a groundout. He scored on Neil Lindgren’s grounder, which 2B Chris Bisson muffed for his second error of the game.

The tie didn’t last long. Lance Ray led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single. One out later, Taylor Black crushed his first homer of the season, far over the left-field wall, to make it 6-4. Xavier starter Brian Muransky struck out Chad Wright, then gave way to RH Josh Deeg.

To open the fifth, UK called to the bullpen for RH Kyle Jackson.

Cory Farris

Kentucky 4, Xavier 3 — RH Jordan Cooper took over UK pitching chores from Sam Kidd to open the third inning. Cooper walked leadoff man Ben Thomas. Bobby Freking singled up the middle, Thomas taking second. Phil Bauer bunted the runners to second and third. Both scored on Matt Kleifges’ single down the right-field line. Kleifges tried to stretch the hit to a double, but was gunned down, RF Cory Farris to SS Taylor Black.

Kentucky came back in the bottom of the inning with Cory Farris’ one-out, two-run homer to right. Chris Bisson, who led off the inning with his second hit of the game, also scored.

                           This just in from Richmond …

Eastern Kentucky has defeated Miami (Ohio) 7-3 at Turkey Hughes Field. Both teams are 8-10 after the Colonels snapped a four-game losing streak. LH Greg Terry (2-1) worked six innings to get the win. Jayson Langfels, Richie Allen and Jacob Daniel each had two hits for EKU. Anthony Ottrando and Michael Garcia each drove in two runs.

                 Back to the Wildcats and Musketeers …

Kentucky 2, Xavier 1 — In the top of the second, back-to-back errors by SS Taylor Black and Chris Bisson to start the inning and a two-out hit batsman loaded the bases for Neil Lindgren. RH Sam Kidd caught Lindgren looking at strike three.

Keenan Wiley led off the UK second with a double to right-center, then took third on a wild pitch. Lance Ray walked. After Luke Maile took a called third strike, Taylor Black put down a sacrifice bunt to score Wiley.

Xavier 1, Kentucky 1 – Xavier scratched out a run in the top of the first. John McCambridge led off with a high-hop single that pitcher Sam Kidd couldn’t field cleanly. A groundout moved McCambridge to second. He scored on Neil Lindgren’s looping single down the right-field line.

UK countered in the bottom of the inning. Chad Wright led off with a double to the gap in left-center, then took third on Chris Bisson’s bloop single down the left-field line. Braden Kapteyn’s line-drive single to right scored Wright.

Kentucky (15-5) is taking on Xavier (4-14) at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Starting lineups

XAVIER — John McCambridge CF; Drew Schmidt 2B; Neil Lindgren C; Ben Thomas DH; Bobby Freking 1B; Phil Bauer SS; Matt Kleifges LF; Ryan Bellamy RF; Seth Willoughby 3B. Pitching — RH Brian Muransky (0-4, 10.66).

KENTUCKY –Chad Wright LF; Chris Bisson 2B; Braden Kapteyn DH; Cory Farris RF; Gunner Glad 3B; Keenan Wiley CF; Lance Ray 1B; Luke Maile C; Taylor Black SS. Pitching — RH Sam Kidd (1-1, 6.91).

Umpires — Keith Schartzer HP; Scott Kennedy 1B; Bob Howard 3B.

Murray State took advantage of six UK errors over the first six innings en route to a 7-5 victory at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Six errors by the 22nd-ranked Cats are the most by a UK team since another six-spot in March 2005 vs. Toledo.

The Thoroughbreds beat UK for the first time since 1997 and for only the second time ever in Lexington.

The Wildcats used 17 players, including four pitchers. Or five, depending on your viewpoint.

Chris Craycraft

A game that began in 45-degree-and-falling weather also featured Murray’s Chris Craycraft, who began his collegiate career at UK, notching the save.

After starter Sam Kidd (1-1), Braden Kapteyn and Nick Kennedy came out of the bullpen. Mike Kaczmarek came on for the last two outs of the eighth inning. Kennedy, who moved from the mound to first base when Kaczmarek entered, went back to the mound to work a perfect ninth inning.

“Really pleased with Nick’s effort,” UK Coach Gary Henderson said. “Kept his poise. And even Sam Kidd’s poise was very good. We put him in a miserable spot and he kept battling. … And Mike Kaczmarek. The bullpen, they did a good job.”

Dan Huff

Murray right-hander Dan Huff (1-2) gave up four runs, including one unearned, and 10 hits over eight innings. He threw 131 pitches, 84 for strikes, fanning six and walking two.

Craycraft, out of Henry Clay High School, closed out his former team, but not before putting the potential winning run on base. Craycraft had thrown 104 pitches three days earlier.

“I wasn’t really expecting to throw today,” he said. “I just came to … see family and stuff. But it’s always fun when you get back out there and throw against them.”

Inheriting a 7-4 lead, Craycraft yielded two walks and two singles to make it 7-5 with the bases loaded and no outs.

“I couldn’t find the strike zone to start out,” Craycraft said. “I just figured I’d get my release point back, throw the corners and let them get themselves out.”

Wes Cunningham

He got Cory Farris to hit a sharp grounder. First baseman Wes Cunningham stepped on the bag, then fired to the plate in time to cut down Chad Wright for a double play. Gunner Glad then flied to left.

“That was a great play by Wes,” Craycraft said. “Stayed in front of it and made a good, strong throw to the plate.”

Henderson was gracious in sizing up Craycraft’s performance.

“Any time you see one of your ex-players do well you’re happy for them,” he said. “I’m glad things are going well for Chris.”

The Thoroughbreds (7-8) led 7-1 through 3 1/2 innings.

Two errors led to a run in the second. Cunningham belted a three-run homer in the third. Another error, a walk and hit batsman triggered a three-run fourth.

Braden Kapteyn

Chad Wright

Gunner Glad

UK (13-3) got solo homers from Kapteyn in the second, Wright in the fifth and Glad in the sixth. Farris singled and scored in the fourth and pinch-hitter Chris Bisson singled in a run in the ninth.

“We did a good job of chipping away but, obviously, the whole ball game is the errors,” Henderson said. “You put yourself in that big a hole, it makes it really tough to get out of it. While I appreciate our kids’ effort — and it was good — you can’t make a game that difficult for yourself.”

Wright, Glad and Murray’s Cunningham all had three-hit games.

The Cats outhit the Breds 12-7.

UK’s Andy Burns had a fifth-inning single to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Keenan Wiley also had a hit, stretching his streak to 10 games, and Kapteyn’s homer extended his hititng streak to nine games.

Both teams return to action at home on Wednesday. UK will take on Wright State at 6:30 p.m. Murray will face Southern Illinois at 3 p.m. (2 central).

Former University of Louisville star Angel McCoughtry is among 12 players added Wednesday to the 2010-12 USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster.

The 12 additions brings to 20 the player pool from which this year’s World Championships team and 2012 Summer Olympics teams will be chosen. Team USA first must qualify for the latter tournament.

McCoughtry, reigning Rookie of the Year in the WNBA, plays for the Atlanta Dream. She also was part of Team USA’s gold-medal squad at the 2007 Pan American Games.

Others added to the roster by the five-member Player Selection Committee are: Alana Beard (Washington Mystics), Swin Cash (Seattle Storm), Tina Charles (University of Connecticut), Shameka Christon (New York Liberty), Candice Dupree (Chicago Sky), Lindsey Harding (Washington Mystics), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Renee Montgomery (Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (University of Connecticut), Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota Lynx) and Candice Wiggins (Minnesota Lynx).

UConn’s Geno Auriemma is head coach.

Players previously named the team are: Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Connecticut Sun), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).

Monkey business

By the way, you may have noticed that I’m baaaccckk.

Back from the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, a working vacation. For details, see my personal blog:
www.monkeyalarm.com

SEC has most track teams nationally ranked

The Southeastern Conference dominates the latest Indoor Track & Field national rankings of NCAA Division I teams, compiled by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The SEC has seven men’s teams among the top 25 and six women’s teams. The Big 12 is second in both categories with six men’s teams and five women’s squads.

Louisville is the lone in-state representative, with the 13th-ranked women’s program.

The top seven men’s rankings in the Southeast Region, in order: Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Louisville, South Carolina, Clemson, Kentucky and Virginia.

The Southeast Region top seven women’s teams: Clemson, South Carolina, Louisville, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Duke and Virginia.

Men’s rankings
Rank  Team (Points)                 Previous rank
 1. Texas A&M (141.69)                           1
 2. Florida (136.89)                                   4
 3. Oregon (134.27)                                  2
 4. LSU (109.18)                                        3
 5. Arizona State (107.75)                        5
 6. Arkansas (91.80)                                 6
 7. Texas Tech (91.19)                             9
 8. Virginia Tech (80.81)                        15
 9. Oklahoma (75.10)                             12
10. Indiana (71.67)                                   7
11. Nebraska (69.31)                              8
12. Minnesota (65.06)                            17
13. Penn State (64.53)                           11
14. Florida State (63.65)                        13
15. Stanford (62.08)                                14
16. California (55.78)                              24
17. Northern Arizona (53.64)                 19
18. Auburn (50.94)                                  16
19. Baylor (50.91)                                    10
20. South Carolina (46.02)                     –
21. Arizona (45.76)                                  18
22. New Mexico (44.69)                          22
23. Mississippi (44.02)                            –
24. Georgia (44.00)                                 25
25. Texas (43.78)                                      –

Women’s rankings
Rank  Team (Points)                 Previous rank
 1. Oregon (185.55)                                 1
 2. Texas A&M (158.94)                           2
 3. Florida (113.51)                                  3
 4. Clemson (108.53)                              7
 5. Tennessee (108.03)                          4
 6. LSU (102.35)                                       5
 7. Penn State (99.38)                           10
 8. Arkansas (97.84)                                6
 9. Villanova (79.07)                                 8
10. Texas-El Paso (78.12)                   17
11. Auburn (72.23)                                   9
12. Southern Illinois (59.52)                12
13. Louisville (59.11)                            13
14. Arizona (58.62)                                16
15. Brigham Young (58.15)                 11
16. Indiana State (57.93)                      18
17. Florida State (56.64)                       20
18. Nebraska (56.02)                            14
19. Oklahoma (53.27)                           15
20. Indiana (49.90)                                19
21. Iowa State (49.57)                            –
22. Virginia Tech (49.04)                      21
23. South Carolina (46.35)                    –
24. Texas Tech (42.52)                          –
25. Miami (Fla.) (38.98)                          –

Louisville 1-2 in women’s weight throw

D'Ana McCarty

Highlighting individual rankings is the women’s weight throw, where Louisville’s D’Ana McCarty (74-0 1/4) and Jere’ Summers (73-4) are 1-2 and UK’s Kristin Smith (67-6) is No. 8.

Event-by-event leaders, plus in-state representatives among the top 25, follow.

Men
60 meters — Jeff Demps (Fla.) 6.59; tie 2. Rondel Sorrillo (Ky.) 6.60; tie 20. Justin Austin (Ky.) 6.69.
200 — (tie) Calvin Smith (Fla.) and Charles Clark (Fla. St.) 20.67; 5. Rondel Sorrillo (Ky.) 20.77.
400 — Torrin Lawrence (Ga.) 45.03.
800 — Andrew Wheating (Ore.) 1:46.3.
Mile — Lee Emanuel (N.M.) 3:57.62.
3,000 — David McNeill (Northern Ariz.) 7:47.52.
5,000 — David McNeill (Northern Ariz.) 13:39.32.
60 hurdles — Ronnie Ash (Okla.) 7.59.
4×400 relay — Texas A&M 3:04.86.
Distance medley relay — Oregon 9:29.82.
High jump — (tie) Paul Hamilton (Neb.) and Derek Drouin (Ind.) 7-5; tie 12. Tone Belt (U of L) 7-2 1/4.
Pole vault — Scott Roth (Wash.) 18-9 1/4.
Long jump — Alain Bailey (Ark.) 26-9 3/4; tie 7. Rudon Bastion (U of L) 25-10; tie 13. Tone Belt (U of L) 25-6 1/4; 16. Wesley Smith (U of L) 25-4 1/2.
Triple jump — Christian Taylor (Fla.) 55-2 3/4; 14. Andre Black (U of L) 52-7 1/4.
Shot put — Ryan Whiting (Ariz. St.) 70-7 1/4.
Weight throw — Walter Henning (LSU) 78-1.
Heptathlon — Ashton Eaton (Ore.) 6,256.

Women
60 — (tie) Blessing Okagbare (Texas-El Paso) and Layka Brookins (S.C.) 7.18.
200 — Shavon Greaves (Penn St.) 22.98.
400 — Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.15; 25. Jenna Martin (Ky.) 53.76.
800 — Phoebe Wright (Tenn.) 2:01.47.
Mile — Charlotte Browning (Fla.) 4:31.24; 17. Janet Jesang (Western Ky.) 4:41.57.
3,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa St.) 8:56.09; 8. Janet Jesang (Western Ky.) 9:11.09.
5,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa St.) 15:29.65; 13. Janet Jesang (Western Ky.) 16:04.48.
60 hurdles — Queen Quedith (Va. Tech) 7.94.
4×400 relay — Arkansas 3:32.87; 15. Kentucky 3:37.90.
Distance medley relay — Oregon 10:59.64.
High jump — (tie) Elizabeth Patterson (Ariz. St.) and Amber Kaufman (Hawaii) 6-3 1/2; tie 25. Rachel Gehret (U of L) 5-10 3/4.
Pole vault — Kylie Hutson (Ind. St.) 14-8 1/4.
Long jump — Blessing Okagbare (Texas-El Paso) 21-11 3/4.
Triple jump — Kimberly Williams (Fla. St.) 46-8 1/4.
Shot put — Mariam Kevkhishvilli (Fla.) 60-10 3/4; 6. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 55-9 1/4; tie 14. Ashley Muffet (Ky.) 53-9 1/4; 21. Chinwe Okoro (U of L) 52-7 1/4.
Weight throw — D’Ana McCarty (U of L) 74-0 1/4; 2. Jere’ Summers (U of L) 73-4; 8. Kristin Smith (Ky.) 67-6.
Pentathlon — Liane Weber (Clemson) 4,262; 16. Precious Nwokey (Ky.) 3,967.

Three new names on The Bowerman watch list’s top 10

The men’s ”watch list” for the USTFCCA’s Bowerman Award has three new names among the top 10 this week: LSU’s Walter Henning, Georgia’s Torrin Lawrence and Northern Arizona’s David McNeill. The Bowerman is college track and field’s version of the Heisman Trophy in football. For more information, see www.TheBowerman.org

The Bowerman Watch List top 10 through March 3, in alphabetical order:

Name (school, class) event, hometown
Jeshua Anderson (Wash. St., jr.) hurdles, Woodland Hills, Calif.
Ronnie Ash (Okla., jr.) hurdles, Raleigh, N.C.
Sam Chelanga (Liberty, jr.) distances, Nairobi, Kenya
Ashton Eaton (Ore., sr.) combined events, Bend, Ore.
German Fernandez (Okla. St., so.) distances, Riverbank, Calif.
Walter Henning (LSU, jr.) throws, Kings Park, N.Y.
Torrin Lawrence (Ga., so.) sprints, Jacksonville, Fla.
David McNeill (Northern Ariz., sr.) distances, Melbourne, Australia
Andrew Wheating (Ore., sr.) distances, Norwich, Vt.
Ryan Whiting (Ariz. St., sr.) throws, Harrisburg, Pa.

Also receiving mention — Aaron Braun (Adams St.); Charles Clark (Fla. St.); Will Claye (Okla.); Jason Colwick (Rice); Lee Emanuel (N.M.); Ricky Flynn (Lynchburg); Ryan Foster (Penn St.); Ramon Gittens (St. Augustine’s); Tabarie Henry (Texas A&M); Trindon Holliday (LSU); Bryce Lamb (Texas Tech); Ngonidzashe Makusha (Fla. St.); Scott Roth (Wash.); Ramon Sparks (Abilene Christian).

Campbell is Athlete of the Week

Amber Campbell is USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week, having won the women’s weight throw with a season world-leading and a meet-record mark of 81 feet, one-half inch at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Albuquerque, N.M.

Campbell, a 2008 Olympian, won here fourth consecutive national title with the third-best throw ever. She earned 1,213 points to earn the title of Visa Champion by one point over sprinter Carmelita Jeter, worth $30,000.

The best performances by American in the week ending Feb. 28 follow. AL = American leader; OT = oversized track; WL = world leader.

MEN
60 — Ivory Williams (Nike) at Albuquerque, 6.49 WL; 200 — Charles Clark (Fla. St.), Blacksburg, Va., and Calvin Smith (Fla.), Fayetteville, Ark., 20.67 WL; 400 — Torrin Lawrence (Ga.), Fayetteville, 45.10; 800 — Nick Symmonds (Nike/Ore. TC Elite), Albuquerque, 1:47.59; Mile — Andrew Wheating (Ore.), Seattle, 3:58.20 OT; 3,000 — Mark Matusak (Calif.), Seattle, 7:59.67 OT; 5,000 — Elliott Heath (Stanford), Seattle, 13:47; 5K walk — Tim Seaman (NYAC), Albuquerque, 20:57.47; 60 hurdles — Terrence Trammell (Trackstar Appeal), Albuquerque, 7.41 WL; High jump — Jesse Williams (Nike), Albuquerque, 7-8; Pole vault — Scott Roth (Wash.), Seattle, 18-9 1/4; Long jump — Bryce Lamb (Texas Tech), Ames, Iowa, 26-8 1/2); Triple jump — Lawrence Willis (unattached), Albuquerque, 55-3 3/4; Shot put — Christian Cantwell (Nike), Albuquerque, 69-4; Weight throw — A.G. Kruger (Nike), Albuquerque, 82-0 WL; Heptathlon — Nick Adcock (Mo.), Ames, Iowa, 5,938.

WOMEN
60 — Carmelita Jeter (Nike), Albuquerque, 7.02 AL; 200 — Shavon Greaves (Penn St.), State College, Pa., 22.98 WL; 400 — Debbie Dunn (unatt.), Albuquerque, 50.86 WL; 800 — Anna Pierce (Nike), Albuquerque, 2:00.84 AL; 1,500 — Morgan Uceny (Reebok), Albuquerque, 4:19.46; Mile — Jordan Hasay (Ore.), Seattle, 4:35.01 OT; 3,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa St.), Ames, Iowa, 8:56.09 OT; 5,000 — Lisa Koll (Iowa St.), Ames, Iowa, 15:41.57 OT; 3K walk — Maria Michta (Walk USA), Albuquerque, 13:51.33; 60 hurdles — Ginnie Powell (Nike), Albuquerque, 7.87; High jump — Chaunte Lowe (Nike) Albuquerque, 6-6 AL; Pole vault — Lacy Janson (unatt.), Albuquerque, 15-3; Long jump — Brittney Reese (Nike) Albuquerque, 22-7 1/4 WL; Triple jump – Erica McLain (Nike) Albuquerque, 46-1 1/2 AL; Shot put — Jill Camarena (Nike/NYAC), Albuquerque, 61-1 1/2; Weight throw — Amber Campbell (Nike), Albuquerque, 81-0 1/2 WL; Pentathlon — Chantae McMillan (Neb.), Ames, Iowa, 4,151. 

Kentucky’s men are No. 19 and Louisville’s women are 14th in the first regular-season U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings of NCAA Division I teams.

The Florida State men and Texas A&M women retained the No. 1 spots awarded in the pre-season. Oregon is No. 2 in both men’s and women’s rankings.

The UK men dropped two spots from the pre-season. The Wildcats are last among seven Southeastern Conference teams ranked among the top 20.

The top 25 men’s teams include seven each from the SEC, Pac-10 and Big 12, plus two each from the ACC and Big Ten.

Louisville’s women climbed four spots from the pre-season. The Cardinals are the first of three Big East teams among the top 25.

The SEC leads the women’s poll with six teams among the top 25. The Big 12 has four teams, followed by the Big East, Pac-10 and ACC with three each.

Both Louisville and Kentucky will be in action this weekend at UK’s Rod McCravy Memorial Meet.

Friday’s schedule is limited to four field events — men’s high jump, women’s pole vault and weight throws for men and women.

Saturday’s card begins at 10:30 a.m. with the women’s high jump and long jump. The first track event, semifinals of the women’s 60-meter hurdles, is set for 12:30 p.m.

MEN                                                                                   WOMEN
Rank (previous rank) School (points)                     Rank (previous) School (points)

 1. (1) Florida State (135.17)                                        1. (1) Texas A&M (189.67)
 2. (3) Oregon (124.74)                                                 2. (2) Oregon (120.25)
 3. (2) Florida (120.22)                                                  3. (5) Brigham Young (117.86)
 4. (8) Texas A&M (118.10)                                           4. (3) LSU (105.16)
 5. (4) Nebraska (107.17)                                             5. (4) Florida State (103.16)
 6. (9) LSU (106.59)                                                       6. (10) Penn State (91.38)
 7. (5) Arkansas (94.10)                                                7. (9) Clemson (85.29)
 8. (7) Arizona State (89.48)                                          8. (12) Tennessee (82.15)
 9. (6) Oklahoma (88.97)                                               9. (6) Florida (79.60)
10. (11) Baylor (67.78)                                                 10. (17) Arkansas (75.59)
11. (14) Texas Tech (65.59)                                       11. (7) South Carolina (74.18)
12. (10) Minnesota (62.80)                                         12. (11) Nebraska (66.28)
13. (13) Virginia Tech (61.23)                                     13. (8) Washington (65.98)
14. (19) Georgia (57.62)                                              14. (18) LOUISVILLE (63.40)
15. (12) South Carolina (57.45)                                 15. (21) Oklahoma (61.68)
16. (38) Indiana (53.65)                                              16. (16) Baylor (61.40)
17. (16) Stanford (48.07)                                             17. (26) Arizona (58.12)
18. (15) Auburn (47.67)                                               18. (13) Virginia Tech (56.30)
19. (17) KENTUCKY (47.42)                                        19. (27) Auburn (53.31)
20. (101) Arizona (41.20)                                             20. (23) Southern Illinois (53.29)
21. (18) Washington State (40.92)                            21. (14) Connecticut (47.74)
22. (20) California (40.72)                                           22. (20) Indiana State (46.28)
23. (22) Kansas State (40.59)                                    23. (22) West Virginia (44.97)
24. (21) Oklahoma State (39.64)                               24. (19) Illinois (44.91)
25. (36) Washington (37.87)                                      25. (25) Texas-El Paso (44.56)

Cardinals 21st, Wildcats 26th in softball pre-season poll

Louisville is No. 21 and Kentucky is one spot shy of making the ESPN.com/USA Softball Pre-Season Collegiate Top 25 poll released Tuesday.

Topping the list is defending NCAA champion Washington (51-12 last season), taking 17 of 20 first-place votes.

U of L (48-11) is one of two Big East teams ranked, one spot behind DePaul. The Cardinals open their season Feb. 12 in the Marriott Tournament at Houston. In order, U of L will face Kansas, No. 15 Baylor (twice), Houston and No. 16 Ohio State.

UK (34-23) had the most votes of “others receiving votes” – 26th overall. The Wildcats begin play Feb. 11 in the Kajikawa Classic where they will face, in order, host and No. 7-ranked Arizona State, San Diego State, Cal State Fullerton, Western Michigan and No. 11 California.

Five Southeastern Conference teams are ranked ahead of UK: No. 2 Alabama, No. 5 Florida, No. 8 Georgia, No. 13 LSU and No. 18 Tennessee.

Rank, Team (first-place votes), 2009 record, points

 1. Washington (17)         51-12   479
 2. Alabama (1)                 54-11   457
 3. Michigan                       47-12   430
 4. Arizona (1)                    46-17   424
 5. Florida                           63-5     407
 6. UCLA (1)                       45-11   396
 7. Arizona State                47-19   387
 8. Georgia                         47-12   363
 9. Missouri                        50-12   337
10. Oklahoma                    41-16   306
11. California                     38-20   282
12. Stanford                       48-11    256
13. LSU                           34-18-1    234
14. Georgia Tech               46-15   215
15. Baylor                            40-22   214
16. Ohio State                     47-11   187
17. Northwestern               31-15   167
18. Tennessee               40-18-1   163
19. Florida State                 44-16   128
20. DePaul                          39-14   107
21. LOUISVILLE                  48-11    93
22. North Carolina              47-13    91
23. La.-Lafayette                 45-13    84
24. Fresno State                 28-20    70
25. UMass                           41-10     55
Others receiving votes: KENTUCKY (26), Jacksonville State (17), Auburn (14), North Dakota State (14), Nevada (12), Oregon (11), Oklahoma State (10), Texas (8), Cal Poly (7), Notre Dame (7), Nebraska (6), Texas A&M 5, Ball State (4), Brigham Young (4), San Diego State (4), Long Beach State (3), Purdue (2), New Mexico State (1), Virginia Tech (1), Western Michigan (1).

SCORE one for the ol’ coach

Jeff Bennett

Former UK baseball coach Keith Madison, now national baseball director of SCORE International, is helping raise funds for the non-profit organization through an online sale of baseball memorabilia. The pair of items come courtesy of Jeff Bennett, relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays and an annual supporter of SCORE. The sale on eBay runs through January.

Descriptions follow.

1. 2009 official MLB Rawlings baseball, with 22 autographs from the World Series champion New York Yankees. Signatures include Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, Mariano Rivera, Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira, Jorge Posada, (World Series MVP) Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, AJ Burnett, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher, Joba Chamberlain and Manager Joe Girardi.  Online, see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=220543520321&Category=73418&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

2. 2009 official Mark Teixeira-autographed baseball bat. The bat was donated from Teixeira’s personal game collection, straight from the Yankees clubhouse, and is signed in permanent silver ink. Online, see: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220546270071