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RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team will face its fourth nationally ranked opponent tonight when the Colonels make the short trip north to take on No. 12 Kentucky. Game time at John Cropp Stadium is set for 5 p.m.
 
EKU (9-11) is coming off a tough trip to Las Vegas this past weekend that saw the Colonels drop all five games. However, Eastern had chances to win its final two games before dropping one-run decisions to both UNLV and Iowa State.
 
Junior Sarah Fobbs had a standout weekend in Vegas as the outfielder hit .353 with two home runs, five RBIs and six runs scored in five games. Meanwhile, freshman Johnkyria Alston has reached base in seven straight contests and leads the squad with four doubles.
 
Kentucky (14-5) opened up Southeastern Conference play last weekend at highly ranked Texas A&M, dropping the first two games of the series before earning a victory in the series finale. The win Sunday was Kentucky's third this season over a ranked foe. This game will serve as UK's home opener.
 
The last time these two teams met on the field, the Colonels nearly shut out Kentucky. Senior pitcher Leanna Pittsenbarger carried a no-hitter going into the bottom of the seventh inning on March 1, 2014. The Wildcats were able to claw out a 2-1 win as Emily Gaines hit a walk-off, two-run home run in a 2-1 win.
 
Kentucky leads the all-time series, 19-7. Eastern has not defeated UK since 2006.
 
Following the game at Kentucky, EKU begins conference play with a three-game series at Belmont this weekend.