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UK Gets Ready For NCAA Super Regionals

After hosting the school's first NCAA Regional last weekend at John Cropp Stadium, where it defeated Virginia Tech and Marshall to claim the regional title, the No. 12 University of Kentucky softball team is ready to hit the road to Tempe, Ariz., this weekend to play in the school's second-ever NCAA Super Regional against No. 5 national seed Arizona State at Farrington Stadium.

Kentucky (41-19) and Arizona State (48-10) will start the best-of-three series Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with game two of the series coming Sunday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. If necessary, game three of the series will be played at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN2. All three games will also be available on WatchESPN.

ASU will be the home team Saturday night, while UK will be the home team in game two on Sunday. The higher seeded team has the choice of home/away in game three, if necessary.

Kentucky advanced out of the Lexington Regional behind strong pitching as freshman hurler Kelsey Nunley went 3-1 with a 0.83 ERA, striking out 15 batters in 25.1 innings pitched. Junior pitcher/infielder Lauren Cumbess also pitched well, going 3.2 innings in the clinching game, allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout. Combined, opponents only hit just .184 against UK in the regional round, collecting a combined 18 hits and only three earned runs.

Offensively, UK was paced by freshman slapper Sylver Samuel, who hit .556 (5-for-9) with three runs scored, three stolen bases and a .556 on-base percentage. Junior outfielder Ginny Carroll hit .429 in the regional, while sophomore catcher Griffin Joiner hit .417 with a double. Cumbess collected three hits over the weekend with a home run and three RBI, while junior infielder Krystal Smith had a home run and two RBI.

Arizona State enters the Tempe Super Regional with a 48-10 overall record after finishing Pac-12 play at 16-8. ASU is an impressive 38-3 at home this season, while it won 21 straight games to open the season. Arizona State has been led offensively this season by Amber Freeman, who has started all 58 games with a .382 batting average, including 18 home runs and 61 RBI. Cheyenne Coyle leads the team with 19 homers and 61 RBI, while Bailey Wigness is hitting .379 with 14 stolen bases. Five ASU?players have 10 or more home runs this season, while four players have 40 or more RBI. As a team, ASU is hitting .334 with 92 homers and 403 runs scored.

The Sun Devils have been just as good in the circle, posting a team ERA of 2.07 with 418 strikeouts as a staff. Dallas Escobedo paces the team with a 28-4 record and 2.10 ERA after dominating regional action with a 3-0 record and no runs scored on just five hits in three games. Escobedo hasn't allowed an earned run in 31 consecutive innings. Mackenzie Popescue is 19-6 this season with a 2.03 ERA in 134.1 innings pitched, while Alexis Cooper and Jenna Makis are a combined 1-0 in limited action.

Kentucky squared off against the Sun Devils once this season back in February in the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. UK fell behind early to Arizona State in the game, dropping an 8-1 decision. Escobedo got the start for ASU, throwing a complete game, allowing one earned run on five hits with eight strikeouts. The lone run was scored on a solo home run in the fifth inning by?Joiner. UK also had hits from Kara Dill, Alice O'Brien and Cumbess in the game.

Cumbess started in the circle for UK, going three innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits with one strikeout. Nunley came on in relief in the fourth inning, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Elizabeth Caporuscio was the offensive star for ASU, hitting a double and triple with two RBI, while Freedman and Sam Parlich also had home runs.

Although UK?only played Arizona State once this season, the Wildcats have played three games this year at Farrington Stadium in?Tempe,?Ariz. UK actually started its season with a win over highly ranked Cal at Farrington?Stadium before defeating Oregon State the next day at the park as part of the 2013 Kajikawa Classic.

Saturday's Super Regional game marks just the third all-time meeting between Kentucky and Pac-12 power Arizona State with the series tied a 1-1. The two teams first met in the Kajikawa Classic in 2010 in Tempe with the Wildcats posting a 5-2 victory over ASU. The second meeting was UK's 8-1 loss earlier this season. Both games were played at Farrington?Stadium.

 

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Nerlens Noel Could Be Back Before Thanksgiving

Nerlens Noel could be going to Cleveland, which gets the first pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.  No matter where he goes, the former UK star continues to have a great attitude about life and coming back from a badly injured knee.  He told Andy Katz on ESPN that it's possible he could be back before Thanksgiving.

 

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Noel To Cleveland? Cavs Win NBA Draft Lottery

NEW YORK (AP) - What's not to like? Being in the lottery every year.

Nick Gilbert expects the Cleveland Cavaliers are through with it, and if so he sent them out a winner again.

The Cavaliers and their owner's son beat the odds for the second time in three years, winning the lottery Tuesday night to give them the No. 1 pick for the June 27 NBA draft.

Two years after charming viewers by responding to a question about being on stage by saying: "What's not to like?" the bowtie-wearing son of Dan Gilbert wore a stern look before this one. He said he expected he was done coming here and that he believed the Cavs would be in the playoffs next season.

Then they got a great jump on that goal, earning the first pick even though they had only the third-best odds to do so.

And 16-year-old Nick Gilbert delivered it, just as he did in 2011, when the Cavs used the pick to take eventual Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving.

"Kyrie is a hell of a player ... but this also felt almost as good," Nick Gilbert said. "That was the first time. This is the second time, but man does it feel good to get the first pick this last time. Get that last player to give us a push."

The Orlando Magic fell back one spot to No. 2, while the Washington Wizards vaulted from the No. 8 spot to third.

Ten years after winning the lottery that landed them LeBron James, the Cavaliers picked up another opportunity to help speed up the rebuilding process since his departure to Miami in 2010.

James' exit shook a franchise that had become a perennial contender with the Ohio native, but the Cavs aren't thinking about that now.

"It's so long ago already. I knew it is only three years but in NBA years it's like dog years. It seems like it is 15 or 20 years," Dan Gilbert said. "We've been just so focused on building the team the last few years, I can't look back. There is nothing you can do. I am just happy about today."

The potential No. 1 pick this year, Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel, is no James. But he could be a nice addition for the Cavs once he's recovered from a torn ACL - if they keep the pick. They also have Nos. 19, 31 and 33 for new coach Mike Brown, who they rehired after firing Byron Scott following a 24-58 season.

"We were hoping regardless of what pick we got that this would be our last lottery," Dan Gilbert said. "We thought originally after everything had to be reset that it would be a three-year process. You never know. It could be four. We thought three years, but having No. 1 and 19, we've got a pretty good chance of this being the last one for a while."

Dan Gilbert and the rest of the Cavs entourage - all wearing wine-colored bowties as well - celebrated their latest victory, which came with 15.6 percent odds after they finished with the NBA's third-worst record at 24-58.

When they won the lottery in 2011, the Cavs had the eighth best odds.

"For everyone in Cleveland who has supported us through these three years, I think this is for them," Dan Gilbert said. "Is that right, Nick?"

"It feels good," said Nick, who was born with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a nerve disorder that causes tumors to grow anywhere in the body at any time.

Not even having four-time winner Pat Williams on stage and 25 percent odds could get the No. 1 pick for the Magic. The team with the best odds hasn't won since 2004, when Orlando won for the third time with Williams representing them and drafted Dwight Howard. The franchise hadn't been back since 2006.

"We had such a nice run up here, over the years. Yeah, we came to win, so when they turned Cleveland over it was like "How did that happen? Absolutely! How did that happen?" Williams said.

"We had a better shot, a better percentage. ... I think the Lord was looking out for that little guy from Cleveland."

Even heading back to their Hornets name couldn't change the luck of the Bobcats, who were lottery losers for the second straight year. Hours after owner Michael Jordan announced they were planning to get back the original nickname of the Charlotte franchise, the Bobcats fell from No. 2 to the fourth spot.

Last year, Charlotte had the best odds of winning after the worst season in NBA history but fell back one spot to second.

The lottery sets the top three teams, and the remainder of the 14 teams finish in inverse order of their record.

Phoenix will pick fifth, followed by New Orleans, Sacramento, Detroit, Minnesota, Portland, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Utah.

The Thunder got the Raptors' pick as payment of a previous trade because it didn't move into the top three. Bryan Colangelo represented the team on stage on the day the Raptors announced he would stay on as team president but they would hire a general manager.

Guards Ben McLemore of Kansas and Trey Burke of Michigan, the college player of the year, and Georgetown forward Otto Porter Jr. are considered other top available players.

With uncertainty at the top, this is another year when the No. 1 pick could've been a high school player if eligible. Kansas-bound prep star Andrew Wiggins may have been the choice, but the age limit requiring players to be 19 years old and a year out of high school will remain unchanged at least until the players' association has a new executive director to replace the ousted Billy Hunter.

The union would like the limit to be lowered or scrapped entirely, while the NBA has expressed interest in raising it to 20. It's on a list of "B-list" items from the 2011 collective bargaining negotiations that the sides still plan to discuss.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

 

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Nerlens Noel & Archie Goodwin Prepare For NBA Draft

Nerlens Noel might find out tonight where he is going to play in the NBA.  With 14 teams in the NBA Lottery Tuesday night, Orlando has the best odds at picking first.  They have a 25% chance of picking whoever they want.

Charlotte, with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. has the second best chance of picking first.  Their odds are at 20%.

New Orleans, with Anthony Davis and Darius Miller have the fifth best chance at 9%.

Sacramento, with Demarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes are sixth at 6%.

Archie Goodwin's stock continues to fall.

Sports Illustrated doesn't consider him a winner at the NBA draft combine.

"Goodwin struggled with his jump shot throughout the combine -- "Very flat," a Western Conference coach said -- and looked like the player who said he would be "delusional" to think he was ready for the NBA. There is a raw, Jamal Crawford-like talent in Goodwin, an athletic, dynamic combo guard who can score in a variety of ways. But it could take years to develop that player in him, if it can be brought out at all."

Archie might be the only one who thinks he's ready. Three years from now, if he's in the NBA, he still will be one of the youngest players in the NBA. Archie is still Archie, he isn't lacking any confidence.

"Five years from now I see myself being one of the better players in the league," the former UK guard told Draft Express.  "My goal is to be the best player to come out of this class right now."

For more on the NBA, you can read the entire article here.

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Former UK Guard Twany Beckham Has Written A Book

Like so many kids, Twany Beckham thought his life was going to be playing basketball. At 12, forget about education. That's a joke. Fast forward to his days playing at Mississippi State. He had hip surgery. That was his first wakeup call. Twany was saying to himself maybe I can't make the big bucks playing hoops. Last year at UK, he had surgery on his back.

"God can take this game of basketball away from you at any time," says the former UK guard.  "Then I got my education and it works for me."

Put yourself in Twany's shoes. You have played in big games, big arenas, and on national TV. You handle that, but getting ready to graduate is a different world. You discover that you've never been so nervous in your life.

"First person in my family to ever graduate. My emotions was rolling high and I was just really excited. "

He fought back tears.

After his back surgery this year which cost him his senior season, life changed for the better, except that he can no longer play competitive basketball.  He misses it. With plenty of time on his hands during the season, he wrote a book about his life. What he's been through. His dream was taken away, but Twany admits to becoming a better person and he's grown up.

"I had to sit back and wonder what is my purpose in this world, so I wrote a book kind of talking about the ups and downs in the life I've had. How my life had to change. Just letting people know I grew up with the mentality that I was going to be a basketball player. With injuries, what I've been doing my whole life it's change."

Cal is proofreading his book while he searches for a title. Twany wants to act and do commercials and go into TV.

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Kentucky Gets Ready For NCAA Softball Tournament

For the first time in school history, UK's softball team has been selected as a national seed and host school for the NCAA Softball Tournament, which will get underway Friday night at 5 p.m. ET at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

The double-elimination regional, which features four teams in Kentucky, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Marshall, will run Friday through Sunday at John Cropp Stadium.

Kentucky's first game is against Marshall at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday after Notre Dame and Virginia Tech begin the night at 5 p.m. ET. All games of the Lexington Regional will be on ESPN3.com.

 

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Morgan Newton Signs Contract With New York Giants

After not being drafted or signed as a free-agent, Morgan Newton didn't quit on his dream of playing in the NFL.

The former UK quarterback attended last week's New York Giants rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. The Giants website is reporting that the 6-foot-3 inch, 240 pounder has signed a free agent contract as a tight end.

Newton played quarterback for most of his career at Kentucky before switching to tight end early in his final season.

In his career, he completed 193 of 384 passes (50.3%) for 1,837 yards 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also rushed for 515 yards and three touchdowns on 169 carries.

 

 

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Cal Is Looking Forward To Next Season

Cal met with the media Tuesday for what sounded like a state of the union address for Kentucky basketball.  It's obvious that his battery is already charged up and he is looking forward to next season.  Next Monday, Cal and his staff are going to a retreat for a few days to talk about the players as individuals and how they need to be coached. With so many new players, developing chemistry isn't easy.

Last year Alex Poythress didn't get it on the court. In the classroom he had a 4.0 GPA. When you tried to talk to Alex about not getting it, he would say he's fine.

"This overwhelmed him," says Cal. "It overwhelmed him. You think of yourself if I put you in there. It wouldn't overwhelm you? There are kids that take longer. It doesn't matter to me if you take one, two, three or four years. Does it really matter? I just want you to get it so you are ready to move on and have success. Terrence Jones it took two years. Darius (Miller) took four years."

Cal believes Poythress can still be scary on the court. He could have been a first round pick. He fought off some pressure to stay.

"He was being pushed by some corners to put his name in the draft. He wasn't delusional. He knew I have to change. I have to take this to another level."

To Willie Cauley-Stein. As a freshman, Cal made him read books that he also read so they would talk about it. Cal is happy that Willie now likes school a lot more. But, on the court.

"He has a chance of being one of the better players I've ever coached."

Point guard Dominique Hawkins from Madison Central High gets overlooked. A local kid that has 'it'.

"Just kind of blew me away with his will to win his temperament on the court. What I just went through I wanted a tough point guard. I wanted one more tough physical, how about this, not just fighting physical tough, how about mentally tough.

If you like the word beast, that's Cal's description of Julius Randle, who many believe is the second-best player coming out of high school this year.

"He's a beast. He's an alpha beast who will drive the team. Has a little bit of Michael (Kidd-Gilchrist) in him in a different way. There are good players out there. He's as good as any of them."

One of Cal's strengths is his ability to adjust. He wanted only eight scholarship players last year because he thought that having too many players wouldn't be good for the team. Now he says having eight wasn't enough, so there's more. And plenty of hope of raising another championship banner at Rupp.

 

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Cal's Cats Hit The Books

Call them the smart Cats.

UK's 2013 spring grade point average is 3.4, which is the best for Cal at UK.

"Twelve of our 13 guys had a 3.0 or better and two had a 4.0," said Cal in a tweet. I'm proud of the hard work our guys have put in both on and off the court."

"When you come to Kentucky, you are either going pro or getting a degree - or both. We call it the success rate, and right now we're batting 100 percent. When you run a players-first program, it's not just about loving to play basketball; it's about teaching our kids the love of learning."

Over the last five semesters, UK's basketball players have averaged at least 3.0 four times.

Plus, former players Wayne Turner and Marquis Estill came back to UK and received their diplomas.

"Are we proud of our players making it to the NBA? Of course," Calipari wrote on CoachCal.com.

"Are we happy about averaging more than 30 wins over the last four years? You bet. But we're about more than that here at Kentucky. When you run a players-first program, it's about helping kids reach their dreams both on and off the court and preparing them for the rest of their lives. You can do both at the University of Kentucky. It's a standard that's been set."

Cal doesn't believe the media gives his players enough credit for being student-athletes.

 

 

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Cats Land 3-Star Football Commitment

The University of Kentucky football team landed another class of 2014 commitment Monday.

Three-star safety Kobie Walker announced his commitment via Twitter.

"Proud to announce my commitment to The University of Kentucky. #BBN #GOBLUE"

The 6-foot-4, 200 pound defensive back hails from Oiney, Maryland. Analysts speculate UK coach Mark Stoops will likely move Walker to linebacker.

Walker chose the Cats over Wisconsin, Oklahoma State and Syracuse.

Walker's commitment brings the Wildcat class of 2014 total to seven. According to Rivals, UK's recruiting class now ranks No.15 in the nation.

Rivals' J. Roland tweeted, "Kentucky now has the NUMBER 15 recruiting class in the nation according to @Rivals. Not sure UK has ever had top 15 class after 7 commits."

 

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Does Anyone Know Where Andrew Wiggins Is Going?

Andrew Wiggins is the mystery man.

Tuesday at 12:15 pm at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, the best player in America will say it's either UK, Kansas, Florida State or North Carolina.

Evan Daniels believes he could be the best prospect since LeBron James.

Wiggins is 6-feet-8 inches. His father and mother were stars at Florida State. Mitchell, his father played in the NBA. Marta Payne-Wiggins, his mother, was a track star, winning a silver medal in the Olympics at a sprinter. Florida State has recruited Wiggins since the 8th grade. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, his good friend, is going to play for Florida State.

"The connections with the family," says Evan Daniels a national recruiting expert for Fox Sports. "They have built the best relationship I think and I think he has the most familiarity with that staff."

If Wiggins comes to Kentucky, UK is going to have a great shot at winning the National Championship. If Wiggins doesn't come to Kentucky, Kentucky is still going to have a great shot at winning the National Championship.

Many are saying that without Wiggins, UK has the best recruiting class of all time. If Wiggins moves to Lexington for one season, UK would have seven McDonald's All-Americans in this recruiting class.

There are some who believe Wiggins, who can be impossible to stop in transition won't choose UK because he doesn't like media attention.

"I don't think he likes attention, but I don't think that's why he wouldn't go to Kentucky. I don't think that would be in his reasoning," said Daniels. "At the end of the day he's going to get focused on, there is going to be a lot of attention where ever he goes."

Of the four schools in this horse race, Daniels labels North Carolina as the long shot.

More than one recruiting expert isn't convinced that UK's recruits were selling Wiggins on Lexington.

If Wiggins is really concerned about winning a National Championship, Evan Daniels believes his best shot is in Lexington.

 

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Cousins Had More Fun Playing For Kentucky

No one questions that DeMarcus Cousins is one of the great talents in the NBA.  Playing on a bad team for a franchise, Sacramento, that isn't considered a winner doesn't help.  Forget the millions he makes.  Losing isn't fun.

"A rough season," says the former UK star after throwing out the first pitch Thursday night before the Lexington Legends played.  "Another rough season. Another learning season.  I'm still a believer.  I believe the good times will come."

How Cousins, who still shows a bad temper at times on the court feels about himself and how he thinks the way others looks at him, isn't fun.

"It's tough to deal with, walking around with this false image.  I mean it's something I have to go through and I feel like things will get better one day.  I feel like I'm in the learning stage right now."

Cousins talks to Cal who tells him to go play and have fun.

"That's the biggest thing he sees in my game that I'm not having fun. I take advice from people I believe in and people that have my back."

Cousins gets that it's not about having fun, that the NBA is a business.  He has trouble at times being himself instead of the person he thinks others want him to be.

"I'm trying to improve on everything.  Being a leader. Every year I'm trying to get my field goal percentage up.  My all around game.  It's not one specific area I'm trying to work on.  I'm trying to work on everything."

"I feel like every year I get better.  I learn from my mistakes every year.  I try to work on the things I need to improve every year. Every season I feel I get that much better."

Cousins misses UK.

"What I really remember is just having fun.  Everything was fun.  Like one big happy family.  That's the past.  It's a different story right now."

It might become more fun when one of these days when Cousins signs a long-term contract that some think could top $100 million.

 

 

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Mays Is Working Hard To Keep Playing Basketball

Talent and motivation are two different things. Why some athletes with all the talent in the world to make a lot of money aren't motivated is one of the great mysteries.

Julius Mays is not only very motivated, but he's seen a number of athletes that had it, but didn't use their talents.

"I come from a house of women that disciplined me very well so now being out here on my own, my self discipline is at a high level," says the former UK guard. "I don't need anyone on my back or knocking on my door or to wake me up. I don't even need an alarm clock. I'm here on time."

Julius can see himself playing in Europe. Cal has encouraged him to keep playing. When Cal talks, Mays listens.

"Talking with Coach Cal, he strongly encouraged me to keep playing because once it's over it's over. Once you stop you know it's really hard, so I'm giving it the hardest push that I got so I can get the most out of it."

Now that Julius is a father, life has changed. On the one hand he really wants to play basketball, but on the other hand, the thought of being away from his pretty little girl for a long time period, is not a happy thought.

"When she (Laiah) was first born, and I was watching her being born, I was like wow, that's me, that's part of me coming out. I still didn't think I was a father, and sometimes I still think, geez I'm a Dad."

To the season, it obviously wasn't what Julius or anyone wanted, but there are zero regrets. He's a Cat for life, Cal has helped shape his life, and he has friends forever.

"It was a rough season. Not the way I wanted it to go out on my last year. It was a great learning experience for me and I still wouldn't change it for the world if I had the decision to make again. And knowing the outcome I would still make it."

You can see Mays making shots from downtown somewhere in the world for a long time.

 

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UK Softball Falls In SEC Tourney Opener

UK dropped its first game in the SEC softball tournament Wednesday.

The No. 15 University of Kentucky softball team got a two-run home run from senior Alice O'Brien, who went 2-for-3 in the game with two RBI, but South Carolina scored four runs in the third inning and got a strong pitching effort from hurler Julie Sarratt, taking down the Wildcats 6-3.

Kentucky (38-18) will now wait to hear of an at-large selection into the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be Sunday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The Wildcats are currently ranked 15th in the nation in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 and 18th nationally in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25. Entering the SEC Tournament, UK had an NCAA RPI listing of No. 8 nationally.

The SEC Tournament will continue Thursday with four quarterfinal games starting at 11 a.m. ET. This is the first time in school history that Kentucky has hosted the SEC Tournament. The event, which is considered one of the most prestigious softball tournaments in the nation, will conclude Saturday at 8 p.m. ET with the championship game on ESPN. A detailed schedule is below.

Several different ticket options are available for fans to come watch one of the most prestigious softball tournaments in the nation. All-session tickets are available for the event in reserved chairback seats ($60), reserved bleacherback seats ($50) and general admission bleachers ($40). Fans can also purchase single-session tickets, which include admission to two games with the exception of session 5, which is the championship game. Single-session tickets are available in reserved bleacherback seats ($15), general admission adult ($10), general admission youth/seniors ages 3-18, 65 or older ($8) and general admission group rate for 10-plus people ($5).

Fans can reserve their seats in a number of ways:

- Online by using My UK Account.

- Calling the UK Ticket Office at (800) 928-2287 or (859) 257-1818.

- Ordering in person at the UK Ticket Office in the Joe Craft Center.

- In person - based on availability - at John Cropp Stadium, beginning Wednesday, May 8th at 2:00 pm. All ticket sales at the stadium are cash only.

Sarratt was impressive in the circle for South Carolina, throwing a complete game, allowing only three runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Kentucky's hits came from O'Brien, who went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run - her seventh of the season - while senior infielder Kara Dill, sophomore catcher Griffin Joiner and freshman Christian Stokes had singles.

South Carolina (32-22) was led offensive by Kristen Struett, who went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, while Chelsea Hawkins was 1-for-3 with a two-run home run. UK freshman pitcher Kelsey Nunley started the game in the circle, throwing all seven innings, allowing six runs - five earned - on five hits with five strikeouts. Nunley is now 24-8 on the season.

Kentucky scored first in the game, getting a run on two hits and two South Carolina errors in the bottom of the second inning. A pair of one-out singles by O'Brien and Stokes started the rally. After a flyout for the second out, Dill hit a slow roller to second base that was mishandled by the second baseman, who then threw home to catch O'Brien in a rundown between third and home. The South Carolina catcher then threw wildly into leftfield, allowing O'Brien to score and giving UK the lead.

South Carolina answered with four runs in the top of the third inning. The inning started with a walk to Shelby Gonzales, who moved to second on a fielder's choice that also allowed Codee Yeske to reach base. Samie Garcia and Alaynie Page then singled in runs to make it 2-1 Gamecocks before Nunley got a strikeout for the first out of the inning. Struett then singled through the left side of the infield to score another run before an error plated another Gamecock run and make it 4-1 South Carolina.

The Gamecocks added two more runs in the sixth on the two-run home run by Hawkins. UK started a rally in the seventh inning, getting a leadoff single by Joiner followed by a two-run homer by O'Brien. Krystal Smith then reached on an error and Dill singled up the middle, but the Wildcats could not extend the rally, falling 6-3.

For the latest on UK softball, follow "@UKSoftball" on Twitter or like Kentucky Softball on Facebook.

 

2013 SEC Softball Tournament Schedule (All times Eastern)
Session 1

Game 1 - Wednesday, May 8 - No. 8 Alabama def. No. 9 Texas A&M 10-9
Game 2 - Wednesday, May 8 -No. 10 South Carolina def. No. 7 Kentucky 6-3

Session 2
Game 3 - Thursday, May 9 - No. 1 Florida vs. No. 8 Alabama - 11 a.m. - ESPNU
Game 4 - Thursday, May 9 - No. 4 LSU vs. No. 5 Georgia - 1:30 a.m. - ESPNU

Session 3
Game 5 - Thursday, May 9 - No. 3 Missouri vs. No. 6 Arkansas - 4 p.m. - ESPNU
Game 6 - Thursday, May 9 - No. 2 Tennessee vs. No. 10 South Carolina - 7:30 p.m. - ESPN

Session 4
Game 7 - Friday, May 10 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner - 3 p.m. - ESPNU
Game 8 - Friday, May 10 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner - 5:30 p.m. - ESPNU

Session 5
Game 9 - Saturday, May 11 - Championship Game - 8 p.m. - ESPN

 

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UK Guard Invited To USA Basketball Team Trials

Kentucky women's basketball signee Linnae Harper is one of 34 top athletes in the country age 19-years-old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1994), who have accepted invitations to participate in the 2013 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team trials.

Trials to select the 12-member USA squad will be held May 16-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. Invitations to the trials were issued by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee.

Harper, a 5-foot-8 guard from Chicago and a former teammate of current Wildcat Janee Thompson at Whitney Young High School, is no stranger to USA Basketball. She won gold medals as a member of the 2012 USA U17 World Championship Team and the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship Team. She also was awarded an honorary bronze medal in the inaugural 2011 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship.

Harper is ranked as the nation's No. 5 prospect and No. 2 guard according to ESPN.com, the highest-ranked recruit in UK Hoops history. During her prep career, Harper played for four city championship teams and four Class 4A state-qualifying teams. She led Whitney Young to the 4A Illinois state championship title in 2012 and a third-place finish in Class 4A in 2013.

Harper was named to both the McDonald's All-American team and Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-American team after averaging 19.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game during her senior season. She was one of five finalists for the Naismith High School Player of the Year award - the only underclassmen to ever be nominated, and was the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year. She also was a three-time Illinois Basketball Coaches Association 3A/4A All-State first team member. Harper chose Kentucky over Tennessee, Miami, Ohio State and UCLA.

"This group has a nice nucleus with some former gold medal winners in the mix and some new candidates that will allow us to field a very competitive team," said committee chair Jim Foster, who has been a member of nine different USA Basketball coaching staffs.

"I think it's a fantastic, dynamic, diverse group for international play," said USA and University of Miami head coach Katie Meier. "The committee understands the important parts of what it takes to win internationally. There's a lot of great and versatile size in this group, some really dynamic players who can do a lot of special things from 20-feet in. This is a really exciting, athletic group who are also very, very skilled. That's a real sign for the growth of our game throughout the country, that the U19s have this level of skill.

Six members of the 2012 USA U18 National Team that earned the USA its 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship berth are returning to compete for a spot on the 2013 USA U19 World Championship Team - as is the coaching staff. Assisting Meier and the U19 squad are collegiate head coaches Nikki Caldwell of Louisiana State University and Kelly Graves of Gonzaga University. Additionally, American University head coach Matt Corkery, University of Wisconsin head coach Bobbie Kelsey and University of Tulsa head coach Matilda Mossman will serve as court coaches during the trials.

Stewart is the most experienced USA Basketball alum attending trials. The MVP of the 2012 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and member of the five-member 2009 All-FIBA U19 World Championship Tournament Team, Stewart has helped USA squads earn gold at the 2010 U17 and 2011 U19 FIBA World Championships, as well as the 2009 U16 and 2012 U18 FIBA Americas Championships. Further, the 2011 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year was the lone high school athlete on the 2011 USA Pan American Games Team.

 

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Former UK All-American Inducted Into College Football Hall Of Fame

Steve Meilinger, an All-American end for UK has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame describes the 82 year old as one of the most acclaimed two-way stars of the mid-20th century, Steve Meilinger gained fame as "Mr. Anywhere" for his versatility and value to the Kentucky football program. He becomes the fourth Wildcat to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The two-time First-Team All-America (1952, 1953) selection, under Hall of Fame head coach Bear Bryant, Meilinger led Kentucky to victory in the 1952 Cotton Bowl over TCU. The three-year All-Southeastern Conference honoree played end, halfback and quarterback on offense, while covering end, linebacker and defensive back on defense. He also served as the Wildcats' two-year starting punter while returning punts and kickoffs.

A first round selection by the Washington Redskins in the 1954 NFL Draft, Meilinger played six seasons in the league for the Redskins, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent the entirety of his non-football life in military or public service. Immediately following his selection by the Redskins, Meilinger served two years as a tank commander in the U.S. Army's 100th Tank Battalion of the 1st Armored Division before embarking on his pro football career. From 1962-83, Meilinger was a United States Marshal, and he was one of the original six marshals who founded the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program. He also served two stints as a property valuation officer for the state of Kentucky.

The Bethlehem, Pa., native is a member of the State of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, the University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, the Fork Union Military Academy Hall of Fame, the Lehigh Valley (Penn.) Hall of Fame and the Liberty High School Hall of Fame.

The 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Football Bowl Subdivision Class, which includes the names of 12 First-Team All-America players and two legendary coaches.

2013 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS

Players
· TED BROWN - TB, North Carolina State (1975-78)

· TEDY BRUSCHI - DE, Arizona (1992-95)

· RON DAYNE - RB, Wisconsin (1996-99)

· TOMMIE FRAZIER - QB, Nebraska (1992-95)

· JERRY GRAY - DB, Texas (1981-84)

· STEVE MEILINGER* - E, Kentucky (1951-53)

· ORLANDO PACE - OT, Ohio State (1994-96)

· ROD SHOATE (deceased) - LB, Oklahoma (1972-74)

· PERCY SNOW - LB, Michigan State (1986-89)

· VINNY TESTAVERDE - QB, Miami, Fla. (1982, 1984-86)

· DON TRULL - QB, Baylor (1961-63)

· DANNY WUERFFEL - QB, Florida (1993-96)

 

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Kentucky Derby Notebook: "Todd Squad" Ready For The Derby

LOUISVILLE (AP) - Todd Pletcher sent his five Kentucky Derby contenders to the track early on Friday morning.

The "Todd Squad" went out at 5:45 a.m. for their final trips to the track before the Derby on Saturday afternoon.

"We're 100 percent done," Pletcher said. "We'll leave well enough alone from here."

Pletcher certainly has strength in numbers with a record-tying five runners in the 1¼-mile race at Churchill Downs.

With the training done, all that remains for Pletcher is to lead the undefeated Verrazano, Overanalyze, Palace Malice, Revolutionary and Charming Kitten to the saddling paddock.

"We laid out a plan to get here with them and it's all come down pretty much like we hoped," Pletcher said.

Pletcher will go for the rare Kentucky Oaks-Derby double. Princess of Sylmar won the $1 million Oaks on Friday afternoon.

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STEVENS DOUBLES: Gary Stevens will be pulling double-duty at the Kentucky Derby by riding in the race and reporting on it.

The Hall of Fame jockey will be aboard Oxbow, a 30-1 long shot in Saturday's race. Stevens has ridden in 18 Derbies and won three times. The 50-year-old jockey is four months into a comeback after being retired for seven years.

During his years out of the saddle, Stevens joined NBC as a racing analyst. Since he can't be in two places at once, Stevens will contribute a taped interview to the broadcast and will be miked for sound during the Derby.

"Gary is still on our announce team, but he is a jockey trying to win a Kentucky Derby and we respect that," producer Rob Hyland said.

NBC host Tom Hammond jokingly chided Stevens "because he has abandoned me at the desk."

Stevens would love to have it both ways: a garland of roses at the finish and a bang-up broadcast.

"I am going to be a little bit greedy here and hope to become a main story line of the race," he said. "I hope everybody has a great show and everybody gets around there safe."

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DUAL ACTION: Pletcher has a record-tying five Derby starters. Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Derby winner, will saddle Oxbow and Will Take Charge.

Ken McPeek, the third trainer in the race with multiple entrants, barely rated a ripple during Derby week with his long shots: 15-1 Java's War and 50-1 Frac Daddy.

Of the two, Java's War is the more accomplished. He won the Blue Grass Stakes most recently, his third career win. The problem is that all his victories have come on synthetic tracks or turf. The Derby is run on dirt.

Frac Daddy has one win in six races, none of them in rich stakes races. McPeek will add earplugs in an effort to keep the colt calm during the post parade.

"Every now and then he'll hear a noise and he gets a little spooky," he said. "It helps him to keep quiet."

Once Frac Daddy arrives at the starting gate, the rider aboard his escort pony will remove the plugs.

Frac Daddy is owned by Carter Stewart and Ken Schlenker. The oil men from Montana named the colt for the process of hydraulic fracturing. Also called fracking, the technique is used to extract oil and gas from rock by injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals.

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BLACK ONYX OUT: Long shot Black Onyx was a late scratch for the Kentucky Derby because of a chip in his left ankle, leaving 19 horses to vie for the roses.

The scratch occurred Friday after early wagering for the race had opened, so Black Onyx's No. 1 post position will be left empty on Saturday. The remaining horses will stay in their original starting gates.

Trainer Kelly Breen said the colt looked good training on Friday, but he had some swelling in the ankle, so an X-ray was taken that revealed the chip.

"He's back in the barn. He's not feeling that bad because he just tried to bite me," Breen said. "It couldn't have been worse timing."

He said it's too early to know if Black Onyx will need surgery.

Jockey Joe Bravo was left without a Derby mount. He hasn't won the race in two previous attempts.

"I'm just very thankful that the horse is going to be OK," he said. "I'm just really sorry for the whole team."

The scratch came too late for Fear the Kitten to get into the Derby. The colt was on the list of also eligibles as the 21st qualifier in the point standings that determine the field.

Black Onyx qualified for the Derby by winning the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. He was 50-1 on the morning line.

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PINCH HITTING: Dr. Mary Scollay will fill in for Dr. Larry Bramlage as the on-call veterinarian for the Derby.

Bramlage remains hospitalized following a Churchill Downs backstretch accident on Thursday. He suffered a head injury when his golf cart overturned and he was briefly knocked unconscious.

The on-call supervisor provides equine injury updates at the Derby and other major races.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

 

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Trainer Pletcher Seeking Oaks-Derby Double

LOUISVILLE (AP) - A win in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday has Todd Pletcher halfway toward a milestone last achieved 61 years ago.

The trainer can accomplish the rare feat by winning the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a goal that has required a lot of hours at Churchill Downs.

Pletcher will saddle a record-tying five entries in the 139th Run for the Roses - including Revolutionary, the early co-favorite at 5-1 with Goldencents after betting opened Friday. Pletcher had four fillies in the Oaks and saw his bid for history begin with 38-1 long shot Princess of Sylmar rallying down the stretch to win the $1 million race.

The trainer now aims to become only the fourth to pull off the Oaks-Derby double and the first since Ben Jones, who won the 1952 Oaks with Real Delight and Derby with Hill Gail. Jones also did it in 1949.

Asked after the Oaks if he's thinking about history, Pletcher said: "We're the only ones with a chance anyways."

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is definitely pondering it, for Pletcher and himself. Smith rode Princess of Sylmar and will mount Palace Malice, trying to become the first rider to double since Calvin Borel won the 2009 Oaks aboard Rachel Alexandra and the Derby with Mine That Bird.

The scenario has crossed Smith's mind.

"We've done the first part," he said.

Borel will be trying to thwart the second part of that attempt aboard Revolutionary.

Whether the weekend ends happily for Pletcher or leaves him ready to move on to the Preakness in Baltimore in two weeks, the numbers give him a good chance to make history. But then, he's always had quantity at the Derby, where he's saddled 31 starters and won in 2010 with Super Saver.

Pletcher also has quality in Revolutionary, unbeaten Verrazano, Overanalyze, Charming Kitten and Palace Malice. The first three figure to make the biggest noise in the 19-horse field.

"We laid out a plan to get here with them, and it's all come down pretty much like we hoped," Pletcher said.

But as Friday's Kentucky Oaks showed, things work out for Pletcher even when the plans change.

Princess of Sylmar was expected to be a distant finisher behind 8-5 favorite Dreaming of Julia, in the race with 9-2 choice Unlimited Budget and 48-1 shot Silsita. Instead, she and Unlimited Budget helped Pletcher claim win and show in the Oaks thanks to a wicked stretch run from fourth to chase down Beholder.

Dreaming of Julia had a troubled start but recovered to finish fourth.

Princess of Sylmar earned the Oaks' second-highest payout at $79.60 behind Lemons Forever's return of $96.20 in 2006. Pletcher earned his third Oaks win after Ashado in 2004 and Rags to Riches in 2007. Both fillies went on to earn year-end championships.

"We're pleasantly surprised with her effort and her win," said Pletcher, who had considered not running Princess of Sylmar after a subpar early workout.

"She's a good filly - we knew that all along. We took her out of her natural running style last time. This time, she made that good run and got it done."

Pletcher now moves on to the Derby and a chance to achieve something that hasn't been done in more than half a century. That a long shot put him on the brink could be considered an omen, but he's worked hard to create some luck.

"I know Todd has a lot of the bigger players in the game," Princess of Sylmar owner and breeder Ed Stanco said. "I've been with Todd for 10 years, just one at a time. It's been a very well-planned approach to how to go to the races.

"We took our time with some smaller, not so successful (horses). To me, there's no better trainer that he can do this with this kind of filly."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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Princess Of Sylmar Wins Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE (AP) - A filly that trainer Todd Pletcher waffled on entering in the Kentucky Oaks has him poised to complete a rare double Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.

Princess of Sylmar, a 38-1 long shot, rallied with a huge stretch run to win the $1 million Grade I Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs.

One of four fillies trained by Pletcher, she upstaged stablemate and 3-2 favorite Dreaming of Julia, who finished fourth. Unlimited Budget, another Pletcher entry, ran third behind 2-year-old filly champion Beholder.

The win positioned Pletcher for a weekend sweep if he can claim the 139th Run for the Roses, where he has a record-tying five entries Saturday.

Pletcher aims to become the first trainer since Ben Jones in 1952 to pull off the Oaks/Derby double and the fourth overall. Jones did it with Real Delight in the Oaks and Hill Gail in the Derby.

Starting from the No. 6 post with Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard, Princess of Sylmar ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.17 and paid $79.60, $29.40 and $14. Beholder returned $9 and $5.60, and Unlimited Budget paid $3.80 to show.

Pletcher earned his third Oaks win while Smith claimed his first, adding to a resume highlighted by a career Triple Crown - including a 2005 Derby victory aboard Giacomo, another long shot.

"I've never come close in the Kentucky Oaks and I've always wanted to win this race so bad," Smith said. "I thank Todd for putting her in."

Earlier in the week, Pletcher wasn't sold on Princess of Sylmar's Oaks prospects.

Concerned after her April 20 workout, he said her final workout a week later was much better. He talked with owner and breeder Ed Stanco, head of King of Prussia Stable, who made the call to keep her in the race.

"Ed said, 'I want to take a shot, let's do it,' " Pletcher recalled. "I said, 'Here we go.'"

On numbers alone, Pletcher figured to get some return with four competitors in the 10-horse field that included 48-1 choice Silsita. However, Dreaming of Julia was expected to provide the payoff, bringing in a 4-1-1 record including a 22-length romp in her last start at Gulfstream Park on March 30.

But with a deep field featuring several unbeaten competitors, the race was considered wide open.

Unlimited Budget came in 4-0 under Pletcher. Close Hatches was 3-0 for trainer Bill Mott while Midnight Lucky was 2-0, providing Bob Baffert's lone on-track presence in Churchill Downs' two biggest races. Early in the week, he chose not to enter Govenor Charlie and Code West in the Derby.

Though overlooked, Princess of Sylmar could make claim to contend with four wins in six career starts and a second to Close Hatches in last month's Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct.

Smith helped her talent show in the final turn.

As the field turned for home, Smith had her in the clear but fourth behind Midnight Lucky, Beholder and Unlimited Budget. Beholder dispatched Midnight Lucky but was caught in the stretch by Princess of Sylmar, who won by a half-length.

"They thought they had moved a little early last time out and to really be patient," Smith said of Pletcher's pre-race instructions. "It really worked out great."

The crowd of 113,820 clearly affected Beholder, who dumped rider Garrett Gomez prior to the race. The jockey said she nearly fell and stepped on herself in the process.

"When you upset a female, you're in trouble," trainer Richard Mandella said.

Gomez got back in the saddle and rushed Beholder to the gate before she regrouped to press pacesetter Midnight Lucky for the first six furlongs, even taking the lead in the stretch.

"Once she was in the gate, she was beautiful," Gomez said. "She ran beautiful. I just wish she wouldn't have expended so much energy coming up to the gate."

Pletcher's main hope in the race was Dreaming of Julia, whose troubled start doomed her. She lagged behind before recovering in the stretch to finish fourth.

"She got creamed coming out of there and it is hard to overcome that kind of thing," Pletcher said. "She tried hard to make it up and I thought she ran very courageously. But it was too much to ask."

Thanks to Princess of Sylmar, Pletcher's day still ended happily with the chance for a historic Saturday still to come.

"When we were looking at our fillies' chances," Pletcher said, "I told some people, 'If they go fast early and this filly settles, I give her an outside chance.'"

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

 

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Orb Installed As 7-2 Favorite For Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE (AP) -Trainer Doug O'Neill had a pretty darned good day on two courses.

First he birdied the eighth hole during a Wednesday afternoon golf outing at Valhalla and then he aced the Kentucky Derby draw when Goldencents landed in the No. 8 post and was made the 5-1 third choice for Saturday's race.

"It should be perfect for him," said O'Neill, who saddled last year's winner, I'll Have Another.

"Perfect" was not the way last year's Triple Crown series ended for O'Neill and his colt. He came under intense scrutiny after another one of his horses failed a drug test and I'll Have Another was retired with a leg injury the day before the Belmont Stakes.

As for the birdie - the highlight of an otherwise forgettable round - he said, "That was like winning the Derby on the golf course. It was a par-3 and I just knocked it right in the middle."

Orb was made the slight 7-2 favorite over undefeated Verrazano, one of a record-tying five horses for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Trained by Shug McGaughey, Orb drew the No. 16 post in a full field of 20 horses. Four horses have won from there, most recently Animal Kingdom two years ago. McGaughey is in racing's Hall of Fame, but the 62-year-old trainer has yet to win the Derby in six previous tries.

"I think where from he is, we'll be solid," McGaughey said. "Kind of hold our position, maybe try to creep in a little bit more around the first turn, and he can kind of watch what's going on down on the inside."

Orb comes into the Derby on a four-race winning streak. He won the Florida Derby in his last start.

Pletcher was pleased about where his posse landed in the starting gate.

Wood Memorial winner Verrazano drew the No. 14 post and was the 4-1 second choice.

"We got everything we wanted," Pletcher said. "No complaints whatsoever."

There were four spots left in the gate - including the dreaded No. 1 and No. 2 - before Verrazano's name was called. Being in the No. 14 hole gives the colt the benefit of extra room because of the gap between his spot and No. 15, which is the start of the auxiliary gate.

Another Pletcher horse, Revolutionary, was the fourth choice at 10-1 on the morning line set by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. The colt is ridden by Calvin Borel, a three-time Derby winner famous for riding the rail. Revolutionary drew the No. 3 post, leaving Borel close to his favorite route on the track.

"Very happy," Pletcher said. "I think Calvin will be looking to go inside as soon as he could, so starting off inside was a good thing. Super Saver started from four."

Pletcher won his only Derby in 2010 with Super Saver under a rail-hugging ride by Borel.

Normandy Invasion is the fifth choice at 12-1.

The other 15 horses are all 15-1 or higher, including Pletcher's trio of Overanalyze (15-1), Palace Malice (20-1), and Charming Kitten (20-1).

Spiral Stakes winner Black Onyx drew the No. 1 post and is one of five 50-1 shots in the field. That spot has produced 12 Derby winners, tying with the No. 5 hole for the most successful post positions.

"The 1 post might not be ideal but we're going to make the best of what we can do with it," trainer Kelly Breen said. "After Saturday we're hoping to make it the most winningest post position in Kentucky Derby history."

Oxbow and Will Take Charge will be the record 46th and 47th Derby starters for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Derby winner. Both are long shots - Will Take Charge at 20-1 and Oxbow at 30-1.

"The four I won it with I can't remember the post positions, so it must not be too important," said Lukas, who could become the oldest winning trainer in Derby history at 77.

The 21st horse on the points list is Fear the Kitten, an also eligible who would need a defection before 9 a.m. Friday, when Derby wagering opens, to get into the 1 ¼-mile race.

If all 20 horses start, the total purse would be $2,199,800. The winner earns $1,439,800. Post time is 6:24 p.m. EDT.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

 

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