Cumbess' First-Career No-Hitter Clinches Series Over Georgia; Wildcats clinch series vs. UGA for just the second time in school history and first since 2000
Bell Leads Charge in Upset of No. 10/11 Georgia; Senior strikeouts 12 in win, Jolly adds insurance run with solo homer
Kristine Himes is in her second season as the associate head coach of the Kentucky softball team and her sixth overall with the program. Himes is responsible for the development of the Wildcats' infield. She also is UK's hitting coach and has led some of the highest power offensives in school history in her time with the Wildcats.
On the field, Kentucky's batters have improved dramatically since Himes' arrival. The Wildcats' have charted an improved team batting average in four of the last five seasons. In fact, in the six years before Himes arrived at Kentucky, UK had only posted a team batting average over .255 two times, while UK has earned that honor in all six years under Himes' tutelage.
In 2011, Himes took over duties as UK's third base coach and the Wildcats delivered by shattering six offensive records including batting average (.295) and home runs (65). Four different players posted 10 or more homers in a season for the first time in school history.
The stage was set in 2010 for an offensive outbreak when UK had a .269 combined batting average with four players batting over .325.
Himes developed former All-America player Molly Johnson, who broke numerous school records, including the school's batting average and home run records when she graduated. She also notched single-season records with 81 hits in 2009 and 20 doubles in 2008.
Brittany Cervantes, who graduated last season, excelled under Himes, ending her career ranking first in the UK records for home runs with 48. Cervantes also finished ranked top 10 in the UK career rankings in doubles, walks, RBI, runs scored and slugging percentage. In addition, the tandem of former stars Meagan Aull and Megan Yocke rank among UK's all-time leaders in nearly every offensive category including batting average, doubles, home runs and stolen bases.
Himes showed her ability to develop talent in 2012, when she led Cervantes, Kara Dill and Griffin Joiner to All-SEC honors. Cervantes had a great senior season, leading the team in home runs, RBI and doubles. Dill continued to show offensive improvement leading the team with a .351 average and a career-high 71 hits, which ranks fifth-most all-time in school history. Joiner had a great freshman season, hitting .278 with 20 RBI and four homers.
Prior to joining UK, Himes served under Lawson at Western Kentucky for one season. The Hilltoppers emerged as one of the top teams in the conference.
Himes' coaching career began at George Washington University, where she spent two seasons helping the Colonials continue to establish themselves as a Division I program.
Himes made her professional debut in 2006 with the Philadelphia Force before spending one season at Western Kentucky.
A native of Bolivar, Ohio, Himes was an All-Big Ten standout power-hitting third baseman for the Ohio State University. Himes finished her career as the Buckeyes' all-time career (41) and single-season (16) home run leader. She also was second in career games played and ranks in the top five in walks and RBI. The 2002 year marked a defining season in Buckeye history as Himes also helped lead OSU to a 55-14 record and an NCAA Regional Championship appearance. She was also invited to participate in the Olympic Training Camp that spring.
Himes graduated from OSU with a degree in business administration also earned a master's in sport management from WKU in 2007.
Hime Coaching/Playing History
Coaching History: 2012-Present: Kentucky, Associate Head Coach 2008-11: Kentucky, Assistant Coach 2007: Western Kentucky, Assistant Coach 2005-06: George Washington, Assistant Coach
Playing History: 2006: Philadelphis Force 2000-03: Ohio State
