February 5, 2018

kentuckykernel Monday, February 5, 2018

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SHE SAW SOMETHING ...

she said something, and feels like she got punished for it.

PHOTO AND STORY BY RICK CHILDRESS news@kykernel.com

should have learned at the University of Kentucky.”

Earle, a veteran with a concealed carry license, threatened his class on Oct. 16. Ellen reported him the same day and Earle was arrested and charged with terroristic threatening on Oct. 31— that’s two weeks in which Hyde knew that Earle had her name, but had no idea where he was and was left to wonder what he was doing.

Daniel Earle, a UK student, reportedly announced to his Spanish class that he would kill two of the students present and anyone who went to the police would suffer the same fate, police reports said.

Ellen Hyde, another student present in the class, reported Earle to the police. UK informed her that, because of her report, they had to October 16 give Earle her name— before they arrested or expelled him.

Ellen was sitting in the back of her SpanUK said that the university had to give Earle the names of his ish class in the Chemistry-Physics Building.

Class was almost over and a student was just accusers or else UK could not take the necessary steps to expel him. finishing a presentation. When the presentation ended, the professor, who was standing Ellen said the university put her at immediate risk.

Chuck Hyde, Ellen’s father, said that the UK administration has been unhelpfully silent. He said that UK’s actions were reminiscent of administrators at Michigan State University, which had its president resign recently after many accused her of negligence

in the school’s handling of sexual assault cases.

“They’re not looking to protect your daughter, they’re not looking to protect your son, they’re looking to protect themselves,” Chuck said. “That isn’t what my daughter

behind Hyde at the back of the room, asked the class if anyone had any comments.

Earle, 35, who was attending UK as a non-traditional Spanish major, raised his hand and rose from his seat.

“I could tell he started to raise his voice and he was like, ‘Yeah, let me address some-

“We thought he was going to pull a gun, because he was violent. He was ready to fight.”

ELLEN HYDE UK STUDENT

thing,’” Hyde said. “When he stood up, I could tell he was mad.”

In a police report filed soon after the incident, UKPD Sgt. Donnie Duff wrote that Earle then pointed at two students in the classroom. He accused one of the students of cheating off his test, and told them both that he would kill them.

“He also mentioned that if police were to get involved, they would suffer the same,” the report said.

See SHE SAW SOMETHING on page 5

kernow Monday, February 5, 2018

UK Housing starts initiative to keep students on campus

By Cathryn Perini

news@kykernel.com

It’s hard to ignore the posters placed strategically on every door and even on many trees around campus. ‘Live on campus!’ is the message that is being so loudly portrayed to students as they walk from Bowman’s Den to Funkhouser and everywhere in between.

The question that many students seem to be asking is why is UK Campus Housing pushing this new initiative for students to live on campus?

The advertisement campaign is obviously aimed toward returning students, those that will be second-year or above during the 20182019 academic year, simply because incoming freshmen are not able to see the posters around campus. UK Campus Housing does aim to have enough housing for all first-year students, as well as returners.

Although there is no requirement for freshmen to live on campus, and with no plans to change that policy, 90 percent do, which is about 4,400 per year.

“I think that as a freshman, living on campus is a good experience to have. It’s like what first comes to mind when people think of college,” said Olivia Kelly, a UK sophomore and history major.

BAILEY VANDIVER I STAFF Posters advertising the benefits of living on campus with the intent of promoting on-campus housing are pasted throughout dorms on UK’s campus in Lexington, Kentucky.

Retention rate is higher among students who live on campus. There are around 6,600 students living on campus for the 2017-2018 academic year . More students are living on campus than ever before, according to Jay Blanton, a UK spokesman.

UK Housing wants to provide enough housing for as many stu-

dents as possible, including returning students who often look to Zillow instead for their next housing assignments.

The posters around campus claim that students who live in campus housing have a higher GPA, on average, than those who do not.

That raises the question, Don’t

younger students typically live on campus? Comparing the 100-level classes of the freshmen students’ schedules to the 400- and 500-level classes of the juniors and seniors living off of Limestone doesn’t seem fair. In actuality, the GPA comparison is that of first-year students who live on campus, and those who live off, according to Blanton.

“We know students do better – in all phases, academically and socially – when they live on campus.

Now, we have living spaces that enhance learning and foster community,” Blanton said. “That’s why President Capilouto and our Board of Trustees led the effort to build these high-tech, high-touch living and learning spaces. It’s all about students and their success and building community.”

As well as claiming better academic success among students who live on campus, the ad campaign says that students do better socially as well.

With new facilities, and the possibility for increased social and academic performance, there seems to be no reason for students to be moving off campus, so why are they?

The main reason among many students who have moved off campus is the freedom that isn’t given to them in dorms.

“I wanted more freedom than the dorms allow and I also wanted

to have more space,” said Kennah Shaw, a former UK student who is now a sophomore at the University of Louisville.

Some students think that the freedom to live off campus away from the rules and regulations of the dorms benefits them by increasing their motivation and independence.

“Living away from campus forces me to discipline myself and forces myself to get up on time, catch the bus and get to class,” said Megan Rohrbach, a junior journalism major and criminology minor.

Contrary to the advertisements, students like Shaw and Rohrbach saw an increase in their GPA after moving off campus.

Nonetheless, UK Campus Housing wants to benefit students in any way possible.

“The institution [has been] more aggressive in communicating with students what we’ve done in designing residence halls specifically for the educational and social residence halls specifically for the educational and social needs of our students,” Blanton said.

Now it is up to the students to make their decision to take advantage of the facilities UK Campus Housing has provided or not. All students should expect to keep seeing encouragement from Housing on their walks through campus, regardless of their decision.

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Monday, February 5, 2018

UK professor speaks on Kentucky, national gerrymandering

By Taylon Baker news@kykernel.com

Gerrymandering is slowly becoming a national issue. The Supreme Court’s pending decision on multiple state’s districting is likely to affect midterm elections.

UK law professor Joshua Douglas, who recently wrote an opinions piece on Douglas gerrymandering for the Los Angeles Times, said that all states deal with gerrymandering.

“All states deal with partisan gerrymandering, and both major political parties do it,” Douglas said. “In fact, sometimes both parties agree on a map that helps to protect incumbents, and I think we saw some of that in the last round of redistricting here in Kentucky.”

Washington Post data from 2014 ( h t t p s : / / w w w. w a s h i n g t o n p o s t . com/news/the-fix/wp/2014/05/15/ where-are-the-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/?utm_term=.19e64a4bc0d8) suggests that dis-

tricts in western Kentucky are among some of the most gerrymandered in the country.

The term heard so often in political science classes and in law, gerrymandering, by definition, is manipulating the boundaries of a voting district so as to favor one party or class. These District lines are redrawn every 10 years following the completion of the United States Census to avoid bias.

Politicians draw those new dis-

city council lines. Everyday citizens can contact their local representatives to advocate for these reforms.”

Douglas has written several scholarly articles extolling the importance of state constitutions for protecting the right to vote. It is because of this that the LA Times contacted Douglas asking him to write the piece on this decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The piece written discusses the power and importance of state constitutions in protecting the right to vote. It highlights the Pennsylvania SuIt is crazy that politicians preme Court’s can draw the lines that will decision striking down help keep them in power. that state’s congressional map as JOSHUA DOUGLAS violating the state constitution.

This is particularly noteworthy given that a federal court trict lines and Douglas said that’s “cra- recently upheld the map under the U.S. zy,” as those lines often favor the party Constitution. The op-ed thus encourages with the greatest majority. more states to rely on their state consti“It is crazy that politicians can draw the tutions to provide greater protections to lines that will help keep them in power,” the right to vote.

Douglas said. “Some states have used Douglas has also had multiple televiindependent redistricting commissions, sion appearances and to read more of his to great effect. It can even start at the lo- work check out his website at https:// cal level, with cities and counties using joshuaadouglas.com/ or his Twitter at @ truly independent commissions to draw JoshuaADouglas.

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lexstyle Monday, February 5, 2018

opinions

Ways to cut back on movie costs

By Megan Brown

features@kykernel.com

The costly expense of tickets along with stadium-priced concessions has made it harder to go to the movies, especially on a college student’s tight budget.

Students have to balance paying rent, food and other bills and can barely afford to see the latest blockbuster. However, money saving methods are making movie outings more accessible for students.

AMC Theaters have a practical solution to the usual expensive snack foods that are sold at theaters across the country. For AMC Stub members, the cost of the annual popcorn bucket is only $20.99 with a $4.99 refill fee each time after the initial cost. The popcorn bucket is available now until Dec. 31 and refills on the same day are free. Becoming a member is also free and includes many other benefits such as $2 or $5 off tickets on Tuesdays and a reward incentive program that culminates into a five dollar rewards card.

MoviePass is revolutionizing the way people attend movies. For only $9.95 a month, pass holders can view an unlimited amount of movies at over 4,000 theaters across the country. Lexington has six locations MoviePass is valid at including The Kentucky Theater and Cinemark at Fayette Mall.

With the average price of a movie ticket being almost $9, the pass pays for itself if users go to at least two movies each month. A year subscription of the pass can also be purchased at Costco for $89.95 instead of a monthly subscription.

4 | kentucky kernel

USAS Logo

United Students Against Sweatshops: Taking a Stand For Workers’ Rights

ROBERT FISCHER I STAFF

underground uk Another practical money saving method for going to the movies is taking advantage of being a student.

In four to five years, most graduates will be working a full-time job, but being in college gives students the ability to create flexible schedules which usually include half-days or large gaps in between classes. Students can save a few dollars by going to the movies during these breaks at slower times such as the matinee hours of

a movie theater rather than peak times. The Cinemark at the Fayette Mall also offers a student discount with a student ID. Lastly, students can buy a gift card to movie theaters for a discounted price at https://www.cardcash.com/.

The website provides a service for people who are dissatisfied with gift cards and want to sell or trade them.

To ensure the gift cards are bought, sellers reduce prices and as a result buyers get free money. For example, a Carmike Cinemas gift card valued at $50 originally is about 23 percent off on the website which means buyers only have to pay $38.

Show your wallet extra money the next time you go to the movies and use the savings to splurge on what really matters- more candy.

Did you know that the clothing retail company GAP has knowingly outsourced their production to factories employing children as young as eight years old?

That many garment-factory workers producing apparel for retail clothing giants like H&M, Victoria’s Secret and Nike live on less than $2 a day, unable to purchase more than the most basic necessities?

That many factories in third-world countries have been cited as requiring unpaid overtime, disallowing lunch breaks, and mandating birth control to avoid providing appropriate health benefits?

That in 2013, over 1,100 Bangladeshi workers died in the collapse of the Rana Plaza building, an incident that would have been entirely preventable had workers not been physically forced to enter the dangerously cracked building by way of hired gang members and threats of forgoing months worth of pay?

If these facts seem shocking, abhorrent or disturbing to you, know that you can make a difference.

United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), the nation’s largest youth-led, student labor campaign organization is dedicated to ensuring that labor rights violations like those mentioned above do not go unpunished.

And it’s right here on UK’s campus.

USAS is back on UK’s campus with unparalleled gusto.

In the last few months, the chapter has organized letter drops to administration, held weekly meetings, led numerous events, and engaged in exciting discussions with the university’s faculty and community.

Our Story UK’s original USAS chapter formed in 2012. It didn’t take long for the organization to build up steam.

This same year, the chapter led a successful campaign to introduce sweatshop-free Alta Gracia brand clothes to the bookstore. By March of 2013, USAS convinced the University of Kentucky to affiliate with the Worker’s Rights Consortium (WRC), an affiliation that placed UK firmly at the forefront of the worker’s rights movement.

After this, the chapter fought against the privatization of dining services, and although the group did not prevail, it prevented Sodexo—a dining services provider known for its human rights violations—from contracting with UK. Today, after a brief hiatus,

Expect to hear more as we continue 2018 is gearing up to be a promising year in the fight for workers rights.

If you believe in workers’ rights, want to get involved or just want to make a difference, join USAS today.

As students, we have unique influence over the colleges and universities that are often the largest investors and landowners in our communities. This reigns especially true at the University of Kentucky.

Will Kueshner is a member of United Students Against Sweatshops at UK. He is an English and Mathematical-Economics dual degree junior.

Email opinions@kykernel. com.

Monday, February 5, 2018

SHE SAW SOMETHING ...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

One student quickly left the room while the professor tried his best to calm Earle down.

As Earle walked back and forth across the back of the room, the professor placed his body between the students and Earle. Earle pushed the professor, who fell on top of Hyde.

“I will kill you. I don’t care,” Hyde said Earle told the class before grabbing his backpack and leaving the room.

He walked out the door and the class exhaled.

“We thought he was going to pull a gun,” Hyde said. “Because he was violent. He was ready to fight.”

The report to UK

Hyde called her parents after and told them that she wasn’t sure if her professor, who was in his first year and from another country, would know how to handle the situation. Her parents advised her to call UKPD. She stressed that the officers handled the situation well and immediately sprung into action. Duff, the UKPD officer who wrote the police report, told Hyde that UKPD would not reveal her identity.

The next day, Ellen received a call from a woman at the Office of Student Conduct who told her that she was their primary witness because she was first to file a complaint.

They told her that the office gave Earle her information and said it was part of the process.

Hyde told her that she thought it wasn’t “appropriate” for the office to give her name to Earle— “he just threatened to kill people.”

She once again talked to UKPD. According to Hyde, Duff said the university’s sharing of her name was upsetting.

Out of fear for Ellen’s safety, two professors canceled classes that Ellen shared with Earle. Hyde’s professors told her that plain-clothes officers would be present at her classes and Earle was forbidden from going on campus.

Chuck, Ellen’s father, angrily called the president’s office and a woman there told him that Ellen’s name shouldn’t have been shared, but she couldn’t help him and shouldn’t be talking to him. Chuck said he was directed to Nick Kehrwald, the Dean of Students, who told Chuck that he would see what he could do to ensure Ellen’s safety.

“Other than to offer Ellen some victim pamphlets, they have not done anything,” Chuck said.

UK spokesman Jay Blanton said the university has invested millions in institutions and offices that “work to maintain the well-being of students.”

“It’s why they are here,” Blanton said. “We can always do better, and we are committed to doing so, but the university has invested millions of dollars in recent years to improve safety on campus and we’ve been investing significant resources – in people and other resources – to better support students.”

UK has said that it was lawfully obligated to give Ellen’s name to Earle. If UK had not given him her name, they wouldn’t be able to use Ellen’s testimony in a disciplinary hearing that could expel Earle.

Due process

Bill Thro, UK’s legal counsel, said that all public institutions are required to obey the Constitution, and after some inspection it’s clear that the Student Code of Conduct closely mirrors the Constitution. Under that code, UK is required to provide students—who are at risk of expulsion or lengthy suspension— with due process.

We can’t go in and say, ‘Well Johnny you raped somebody,’ and we don’t tell Johnny who he allegedly raped, we don’t have the victim identified — Johnny has to be in the position to defend himself.

BILL THRO UK LEGAL COUNSEL

As Thro explains it, due process on a college campus is the idea that UK gives an accused student a chance to be heard and defend themselves in a “kind of a mini-trial. An opportunity to say, ‘No this didn’t happen.

I’m innocent of whatever I’m accused of.’”

The purpose of due process, Thro said, is to protect against false convictions.

“It is better that a whole bunch of people that should be expelled—are not expelled, rather than one who shouldn’t be expelled

end up being expelled,” Thro said.

To defend oneself, one has to know who is accusing him, Thro explained. The accused has to be able to point out when the supposed incident occurred and who the people were that were involved. The accused may have a reliable alibi, but they can’t rely on that if they don’t know when something happened and who it happened to.

“We can’t go in and say, ‘Well Johnny you raped somebody,’ and we don’t tell Johnny who he allegedly raped, we don’t have the victim identified—Johnny has to be in the position to defend himself,” Thro said.

Earle was expelled after an Oct. 22 disciplinary hearing.

In front of Earle and the campus disciplinary board, Ellen was asked if she would feel comfortable with having him in class.

She shook her head no.

Daniel Earle

Earle was arrested on Oct. 31 at Coffea, a coffee shop on the edge of north campus across the street from the UKPD station.

According to court records, he was charged with second degree terroristic threatening—a felony. He pled not guilty.

“I did not say kill in the classroom,” Earle told a judge at a Nov. 22 hearing at the district courthouse in Lexington. “There’s many people who can attest to my character.”

EARLE

Earle’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Earle was originally allowed no bond as the judge ruled that he was a danger to himself and others. But after two months of state custody and psychiatric testing, the court allowed a $3,000 bond in early January.

“He just seems like a really violent person and he needs medical help,” Ellen said during a later interview.

This was Earle’s second expulsion from UK, and the second time he’s been charged with a criminal offense, court records show.

According to UK spokesman Jay Blanton, he first attended UK from 2011 to fall 2014,

but was not allowed to continue to attend UK. Because of student privacy laws, the exact reason could not be revealed.

In 2015, Earle was charged with harassing communications after he allegedly began stalking and sending threatening text messages to Travis Courtney, a student that Earle had met at UK, police reports said.

Courtney was a concealed carry instructor and Earle had contacted him about buying an assault rifle and a pistol. After Courtney did not respond, Earle began sending him “berating” and “threatening” text messages which appear in the police report. Earle would tell Courtney that he was going to “deal” with him.

The texts Earle sent to Courtney suggest that he was stalking Courtney. In one text, Earle even described the cars in front of Courtney’s house. Such texts put Courtney “in fear of what (Earle) may do,” the police report said.

Before the case went to trial, the county reached an agreement with Earle, public records show.

After, Earle reapplied to UK as a Spanish major. Blanton said UK had “no basis to continue to deny admission as he met all conditions for readmission, including UK’s academic requirements.”

A risk for future students?

“The university knew all along that this guy had tried to obtain an assault weapon and a hand gun in a previous complaint…”

Chuck Hyde, Ellen’s father, said. “The administration willfully handed that man my daughter’s name rather than their own university employee who was in the room.”

Chuck said that he didn’t want another student in the future to face the decision of, “Do I report the guy who threatened us all with death? But if I do, the university is going to give him my name.”

Ellen shares the same sentiment.

“I don’t want this to happen to future students with something so serious,” Ellen said.

“That puts somebody at immediate risk.”

“Knowing what I know now,” Chuck said he wouldn’t have sent his daughter to UK. “Take care of my little girl, take care of my little boy,” he said. “As a parent that’s the unspoken trust, the unspoken social contract between adults and what I’ve learned quickly is the University of Kentucky doesn’t respect that social contract.”

spring 2018 | 5

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Monday, February 5, 2018

kernelpop

We are UK

Don’t hurry to change your hair

UK’s Official Credit Union.

this is what you want.

BECKY FAULCONER Kernel Blog Writer

The start of a new year always brings the desire to change things up. A popular change many partake in is getting a new haircut. Whether it be a new color, trim, bangs, or a full chop, here are some things to be aware of before going to the salon.

1. Make sure you actually want a new hairstyle- this is very crucial. Everyone, at one point or another, is guilty of saying they want a new haircut but in reality they just may be bored with their overall appearance. If this is the case, spicing up your wardrobe may be the best idea. If you start considering a haircut or dying your hair, take some time to really think about it and make sure that

2. Know what you want- this is so important not only for you, but also your hairstylist.

Not knowing the exact haircut you want before setting up your appointment allows room for miscommunication and uncertainty which can then lead to you not being content with the cut. To make sure you know the exact look you want, you can make a Pinterest board of the cut or color you want or set up a consultation appointment with your hairdresser.

3. Consider your lifestylethis tip is probably one that everyone (including myself) has at one time or another forgotten. Depending on your desired haircut, there can be a lot of maintenance involved with it which may not line up to your lifestyle. Think about your daily activities: is it possible to devote extra time to your hair if needed? Is it a comfortable style to have?

every hour. every day. kykernel.com

every hour. every day. kykernel.com

6 | kentucky kernel

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For example, if you work out and don’t like hair in your face, maybe getting bangs isn’t the best idea. Or if you don’t have much time or money to dedicate to monthly hair appointments, dying your hair an extreme color might not be for you.

These tips aside, changing up your hair can be an intimidating and bold change, but at the end of the day it is just hair and it’s fun to switch things up by stepping out of your comfort zone.

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Monday, February 5, 2018

the sc

By Charlee Schaefer

The Logue legacy continues at UK

sports@kykernel.com

Within hours of receiving an offer from UK, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher committed to the baseball program.

Seth Logue will be attending UK in the fall of 2020, and he is the younger brother of 2017 MLB draftee Zach Logue, who was chosen in the ninth round by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Logues are both products of the prestigious Archbishop Moeller high school in Cincinnati, Ohio, which has produced baseball greats such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin.

Seth adds to the growing list of Cats who attended Moeller, including 2017 third round pick Riley Mahan and recent roster addition, JUCO transfer Grant Macciocchi.

“We have tons of D1 commits so it is great to be around them all the time and a cool thing to have

By Erika Bonner sports@kykernel.com

It’s almost softball season in the bluegrass, and the Kentucky softball team couldn’t be more excited to kick-start the season.

After finishing 39-19, ranking No. 17 in both the NFCA Coaches’ Poll and USA Softball/ESPN poll, and making their way to the NCAA Super Regional last season, it goes without saying that there are high expectations and even more excitement for the 2018 season.

Rachel Lawson, who is entering her 11th season as Kentucky’s head coach, believes her team is well-prepared and ready to compete against fellow SEC contenders, who she says is the best softball conference in the nation.

Coach Lawson says there a few things that separate her team from others in the Southeastern Conference.

8 | kentucky kernel

p

so many high level talents at your school,” Seth said.

The 6-0, 140 pound sophomore has already had an impactful career at Moeller and has plenty of time to perfect his game in the seasons ahead. Seth has four pitches in his arsenal and credits himself on his fastball location and his slider.

“I think the program is going to make a really big turn and be a national contender every year.”

SETH LOGUE Players constantly talk about the family aspect of the program and the Logues are no exception, although Seth did not choose UK because of his brother.

“When he started his recruiting process, I probably wouldn’t have picked Kentucky as his final pick, just because I went there and he’s my little brother. He doesn’t want to do everything exactly as I did,” Zach said jokingly.

The coaching staff and the SEC were big factors in his decision-making process. Seth was also looking at LSU and Vanderbilt, among many others.

“I had a really good relationship with coach (Nick) Mingione and coach (Jim) Belanger. We really hit it off when I first met them and I’ve kind of known them a little bit through my brother but not too well so it was cool to have a deeper relationship with them and then I like that they’re in the SEC,” Seth said.

“I wanted to play in the best conference that I could.”

Seth said he is excited about where UK is going.

“I think the program is going to make a really big turn and be a na-

ADDISON COFFEY I STAFF Kentucky pitcher Zach Logue delivers a pitch during the game against Vanderbilt at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Apr. 1, 2017, in Lexington, Kentucky.

tional contender every year,” Seth said.

After winning the first regional in school history with Mingione at the helm of the program, fans and cur-

UK softball set to make an impact “I think the thing that would make us a little bit different is we have very mature position players coming back, our offense from top to bottom is matured, we’re returning just about every person that had a lot to do with the run production, so I expect that we’ll be able to generate a lot of offense,” Lawson said.

Expect junior shortstop Katie Reed to make some noise for the Cats this year, as she was named to the 2018 All-SEC Preseason team.

“It’s an honor to be able to get that award in the SEC, in one of the best conferences in the country and to have that respect means a lot, but now I got to go prove it this season,” Reed said.

According to Reed, she plans on proving herself through her ability at shortstop, where she’s has a year of experience under her belt.

Reed also wants to be a leader in the infield now that she’s an upperclassman.

I think that we are very talented this year and ready to compete in the SEC.

ABBEY CHEEK The St. Louis native was also named to the first team All-SEC, third team All-America by the NFCA and finished with a .380 batting average this past season.

Lawson has nothing but positive things to say about the second baseman-turned-shortstop, complimenting her athletic abilities and also her accomplishments off the field.

“Katie Reed does not have a down

side,” Lawson said.

Kentucky’s coaches and players alike had something to say about SEC play this year, speaking on the amount of talent in the conference and their excitement to get started.

“I think just like any other team at Kentucky, our goal is to win the SEC… We want to make sure that we get a national seed so that we’re not only hosting regionals, but we’re also hosting super regionals because that’s our best shot at the world series,” says Lawson.

Lawson also expressed her gratitude toward Big Blue Nation backing them up and always showing up to their games in blue and white.

Working a lot offensively and maintaining defense and pitching is what the Cats have focused on most going into this season and is what they’re best at, according to senior pitcher Erin Rethlake.

Rethlake, another key player for the Cats, says she isn’t sure what her

rent players do not expect limited success in years to come. Big Blue Nation can expect extraordinary things in the future of Kentucky baseball.

role at the plate will be this year, but whatever it is, she wants to do what her team needs at any point in time.

Kentucky’s 2018 squad will be rather young, as 11 of their players are freshmen and sophomores.

Reed and junior utility player Abbey Cheek both spoke on the team’s younger players, Reed saying how good she thinks they’ll be despite their young roster.

“I think that we are very talented this year and ready to compete in the SEC, and our newcomers are ready too, so it’s very exciting,” Cheek said, who was last season’s team leader in runs scored, home runs and RBI’s.

Kentucky will be something to watch out for this season with their new and old talent, and are more than ready to take on the best of the best in the SEC. The Cats will start their season on Feb. 10 at New Mexico State.