SAN DIEGO, Calif. ? The University of Kentucky softball team lost its third straight game today, Feb. 25, as it dropped a 5-3 decision to San Diego State at the Aztec Invitational. The Wildcats fall to 6-5 on the year, while the Aztecs improve to 8-3.
The Wildcats put up a two-spot in the top of the first. Megan Miller singled up the middle and went to third on a single by Ashley Fertic. Both would come around to score on a two-out single to right field by Katie Campbell to put the Cats on top 2-0.
The Aztecs knotted the score in the home half of the first. Meagan Hartung singled to lead off the inning and went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Erin Floros followed with a double to deep center field to push the first run across. SDSU tied the game on an RBI single by Taryin Casillas.
SDSU took a three-run lead in the bottom of the third on four hits, including an RBI triple to center by Monica Alnes. All three runs scored with two outs. UK pitcher Jessica Trueblood struck out Hartung to end the inning and the Aztec rally.
Amy Kendall relieved Trueblood in the fourth and quieted the Aztec bats over the final three innings. The senior hurler retired the side in order in the fourth and allowed just one base runner in each of the next three innings.
The Cats cut the lead to two runs in the sixth. Megan Cooper was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and went to second on a fielder?s choice by Ashley Fertic. Cooper came around to score when Gina Florence reached on an error by the pitcher to cut the SDSU lead to 5-3.
Brooke Marnitz led off the ninth with a single up the middle and went to second on a groundout by Miller. Cooper drew a base on balls to put runners at first and second but that was as far as they would go as Fertic was called out on strikes to end the rally and the game.
Megan Glenn went 1-for-3 to extend her hitting streak to a career-high seven straight games. Campbell went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Fertic was 1-for-4 with a run scored.
Trueblood took the loss for UK, giving up five runs on nine hits over 3.0 innings. The freshman evened her record at 3-3 with the loss.
The Cats will take on Indiana State in the final game of the day with start time set for 11:15 p.m. ET. UK will face Loyola Marymount on Sunday at 12 p.m. in its final showdown of the weekend.
