Racers Keep It Close At #15 Kentucky

Wednesday, March 23

Lexington, Ky.

4 p.m.

Murray State

10-14

Kentucky

27-4

Murray St.

Kentucky

Photo by: Patti Twaddle

3/23/2016 8:01:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

The Murray State softball team hung tough with 15^th-ranked Kentucky for five and a half innings Wednesday, but ultimately fell, 6-1, at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington.

After four and a half inning of scoreless play, Kentucky got on the board with just its second hit of the game on a two-out, solo home run from Breanne Ray. The lead would not last long however, as Jocelynn Rodgers missed her own home run by about three feet in the top of the sixth, but was still able to reach second. The hit allowed Jessica Twaddle, who began the inning with a single, the opportunity to score at tie the game at one.

In the bottom of the sixth, after UK loaded the bases on a hit by pitch, a fielder's choice and a walk, Nikki Sagermann drew another walk to take back the lead at 2-1. The Wildcats would go on to add four more runs in the frame on a single, a double and an error by the Racers to cap the scoring at 6-1.

One big problem Murray State faced in the game was Kentucky starter Shannon Smith, who struck out eight and allowed just two hits and two walks. Although, Murray State was not without its chances in the game as it managed to get four hits and four additional base runners off of the sixth-ranked pitching staff in the nation. However, of the eight base runners for MSU on the day they stranded seven, including five in scoring position.

Mason Robinson threw five quality innings for MSU allowing just one run on three hits over five complete innings. J.J. Francis took the loss for the Racers as she allowed three runs, two earned, on two walks in a third of an inning. In addition to hits from Rodgers and Twaddle, Maddy Fenney and Shelbey Miller also tallied hits in the contest

The Racers will resume OVC play Friday when they make the short trip from Lexington to Richmond for a doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT/12 p.m. CDT.