TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Murray State 11, Tennessee State 3 (6)
@Murray State 4, Tennessee State 0
Lipscomb 5,
@Belmont 0
Kentucky 5,
@Eastern Kentucky 0
KENTUCKY 5, EASTERN KENTUCKY 0
RICHMOND, Ky. - No. 20 Kentucky scored three runs in the top of the seventh to pull away for a 5-0 victory over the Eastern Kentucky University softball team on Tuesday in front of a capacity crowd at the new Gertrude Hood Field.
EKU pitchers Alex Sallberg and Mollie Paulick stifled the nationally-ranked Wildcats (31-13) to only two runs on four hits through the first six innings of play.
Trailing only 2-0, Eastern (20-26) threatened to tie the game or take the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Krislyn Campos was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, went to second on a wild pitch and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Mia Sanchez. The Colonels’ two top run producers – sophomore Rachel Minogue and junior Johnkyria Alston – then came to the plate representing the tying run; however, Minogue popped out and Alston grounded out to end the threat and the inning.
Alex Martens led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run, sparking Kentucky to three insurance runs in the final frame to make it 5-0.
Erin Rethlake (9-2) tossed a complete-game shutout to earn the win for the Wildcats, surrendering only three hits.
Sallberg (7-13) started in the circle for EKU and pitched 3.1 solid innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits while striking out five Wildcats.
Campos, sophomore Hannah Clark and senior Amber Murray all collected hits in the game for the Colonels.
Eastern returns to action this weekend with home doubleheaders against OVC foes Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State.
LIPSCOMB 5, BELMONT 0
NASHVILLE , Tenn.- A slow start doomed this edition of the Battle of the Boulevard for Belmont Softball on Tuesday evening. The Bruins (30-17) stumbled early and were unable to make up ground down the stretch, falling 5-0, to Lipscomb (34-13).
BU looked to make a mark early in the bottom of the first frame when sophomore Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) smacked a double to right. Unfortunately, the next series of batters were unable to get her home. The Bisons answered the threat by putting three runs over the plate in the top of the second inning, after the door was opened by a Bruin error.
Belmont looked to fire back with its best scoring opportunity of the day, a triple to left center by sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.), in the bottom of the third frame. Unfortunately, she was eventually stranded in part due to the strong pitching of LU's Mandy Jordan. Lipscomb was able to notch one more run in the top of the fourth and sixth innings to go up, 5-0. BU attempted to rally once again in the bottom of the sixth frame, behind a single up the middle by Cook but the team was unable to convert the hit into a run, allowing the Bisons to hold on for the win by the same score.
Cook went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead BU.
Inside the circle, freshman Abby Irwin (Nolensville, Tenn.) and junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga) split time, combining for four strikeouts.
Belmont returns to action on Saturday, April 29, hosting UT Martin for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for Noon. Live stats will be available and the games can be seen live on the OVC Digital Network. At the conclusion of the games, Belmont Softball will honor its five seniors.
Saturday's games at E.S. Rose Park have been designated as part of Family Field Day for Belmont faculty, staff and their families by the University Staff Advisory Council.
MURRAY STATE 11, TENNESSEE STATE 3; MURRAY STATE 4, TENNESSEE STATE 0
MURRAY, Ky. - Recap coming soon.