Chanda Bell dominated at the mound today and Brittany Cervantes contributed with a home run as the Cats upset the host Florida Gators 2-0 this evening in Gainesville. This win marks the 6th time the Wildcats have upset a top 25 ranked team in the 2012 season. The X-factor of the night was certainly Chanda Bell, who held the Gators scoreless, an amazing feat worth much recognition.

Coach Rachel Lawson sung Bell’s praises after the game: “Chanda really was tremendous tonight, to hold a team like Florida scoreless and to only give up four hits was the reason we were able to win this game.”

Bell’s shut out effort gave Florida only their 4th scoreless game of their 42-7 season. UK’s 2 scores of the game came in the top half of the third. Cervantes hit a two out solo homer then Rachel Riley hit in Kara Dill on an RBI single. Cervantes’ home run was the 10th of the season for her and makes her the first ever UK Softball player to hit 10 or more home runs in every season of her career. UK held strong the rest of the game for a monumental win. Chanda Bell made for a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh as she struck out her 8th batter of the game to close it in fitting style.

 (25-26, 11-12 SEC)    2          (42-7, 19-4 SEC)  0

Pitching: Chanda Bell improved to 13-10 as she struck out 8 Gators en route to her Complete Game Shut Out victory. Bell only allowed 4 hits.

Hitting: UK and Florida each only had exactly 4 hits but the Cats stormed ahead because of Brittany Cervantes’ (2-for-2) home run. Rachel Riley and Sarah Frazier each contributed one hit for the Cats, and Rachel Riley hit an RBI single.

Errors: Kentucky: 2…. Florida: 1

Game Notes: The Start Time was 6:05 and the game lasted 1 hour and 42 minutes. The weather was stifling (87 degrees) and attendance was 1192.

Kentucky continues the series tomorrow in a 1:00 pm ET matchup tomorrow. A win would clinch the series for the Cats who once again find themselves just under .500 in overall and SEC record.