University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Opens Season With Victory over Kentucky
February 01, 2002 | Softball
Feb. 1, 2002
Box Score
Miami, Fla.-----Georgia erupted for a four-run fourth inning and added a five-run fifth to knock off Kentucky, 9-2, in the 2002 season opener today at Florida International University. Nichole Urban (1-0) earned the win for the Dogs, Kristen Bell hit her first home run in a Georgia uniform and Michelle Tyree finished 3-for-4 to pace the offense.
"The offense did a great job adjusting early and applying pressure to their defense," said Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer. "Nichole Urban did a nice job and had some real nice pitches today. Michelle Tyree saw the ball big."
Kentucky jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Lyndsey Angus that scored Beth Fogle. Georgia answered in its half of the fourth with five singles and a sacrifice fly by Shannon McKeon to take a four run lead.
In the top of the fifth, Kentucky's Fogle scored again on an Angie Dal Pozzo sacrifice fly. In the bottom half, Georgia reached base with four singles, a Kim Wendland double and Bell's home run for a 9-2 lead.
Urban's win on the mound is her fifth straight win dating back to last season. In the fifth inning, freshman Rachael Hawkins relieved Urban and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings.
Sophomore Nicole Barber extended her hitting streak to 13 games with a sixth-inning double. The Bulldog record for consecutive games with a hit is 15 by Beth Adams in 1999.
Tyree's 3-for-4 day at the plate was the fourth three-hit game of her career. Her only putout was a fly ball to the warning track that rightfielder Jessica Nance caught just before breaking through the outfield fence.
Eight starters finished the game with at least one hit for the Bulldogs and five newcomers saw action in the game. Wendland, Michelle Green and Katie Lewis made their first career starts, while Hawkins and Pam Stewart got playing time in substitute roles.
Georgia continues tonight in Florida International's Fun and Sun Tournament with a 7:30 p.m. matchup against host team FIU.
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