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University of Tennessee softball co-head coach Ralph Weekly's mood Saturday night mirrored the weather.

Just as the sun was seen only briefly throughout the day, he also saw few bright spots for the Lady Vols in a 2-0 loss to Kentucky in eight innings at Lee Softball Stadium.

"We didn't even show up to compete with them," he said. "We fielded poorly, hit poorly and pitched poorly."

Tennessee (23-4, 1-3 SEC) gave up seven hits, including a home run, and only managed four hits in the opening game of the three-game series against the Wildcats.

"They deserved to win, but we didn't compete," he added.

Tennessee and Kentucky (12-8, 1-0) were scheduled to play a double-header beginning Saturday at 1 p.m.

Following the late morning rain, a single game was scheduled for 6 p.m.

More rain forced the start back until 6:30.

Then, after the fifth inning was completed, another shower delayed the game 30 more minutes.

By that time, only about 50 to 100 fans remained in the stands.

But those who stayed received some late-inning heroics, albeit via the visitors.

Although the game had been as unexciting as the weather most of the way, the composure began to change in the top of the seventh inning.

After Katie McCarty of the Wildcats led off the inning with a single, pinch runner Annie Rowlands reached third with only one out.

She tried to come home following a fly ball by Megan Yocke, but right fielder Erinn Webb caught the ball and made a perfect throw to Tiffany Huff for the tag to end the inning.

The game remained 0-0 entering extra innings.

Kentucky's Molly Johnson finally broke the stale mate with a two-run home run in the eighth against Ashton Ward (10-2).

"It felt pretty good," said Johnson. "I wanted to get a win and help our freshmen step into the SEC."

Tennessee did load up the bases in the eighth but could not score.

"Anytime you win and to beat Tennessee, because they are an awesome team, it is big," said Kentucky coach Rachel Lawson. "This is something the kids have dreamed about."

Lawson said a key in the win was pitcher Amber Matousek.

"This is the best game she has ever pitched," she said.

Matousek (6-5) said she simply went out and tried to pitch her game.

"We didn't have anything to lose because they are No. 4 in the country," she said.

UT starter Megan Rhodes walked four and gave up five hits in 5 innings.

The series concludes today with a double-header beginning at 1 p.m.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.