Box Score

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The University of Kentucky softball team dropped a 7-3 decision to the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sundayafternoon at the Bulldog Diamond.

The Wildcats dug themselves a hole in the bottom of the first inning when the Bulldogs batted around and scored four runs with oneout. MSU’s Cheri Smith walked, followed by Iyhia McMchael’s blooper to center. Jennifer Waterman then smacked a single to leftfield. Blaire Brown then bounced back to Morgan Marr in the circle, but the UK pitcher could not come with the ball in time to getSmith at the plate. Brooke Best grounded to Angie Dal Pozzo at shortstop, but Dal Pozzo’s throw to the plate was late asMcMichael scored the second run. Blaire Brown scored the third run as Blaire Brown ht into a fielder’s choice. Pinch runner RobynSchlagheck scored the fourth and final run of the inning on Anna Joyce Lott’s single.

The Bulldogs added another run in the bottom of the third inning when Schlagheck led off with a double to left center and scored onLott’s grounder.

MSU tacked on two more runs in the fourth on two consecutive doubles and a two-out single.

Kentucky batted around and scored three runs in the top of the seventh when Andy Eilertson led off with a triple to right center andscored on Jen Howland’s sacrifice fly to right field. Beth Fogle then singled back up the middle and scored the Cats’ second run onKwiatkowski’s double to left center field. After Nikki Jones notched her second single of the day, Lyndsey Angus brought homeKwiatkowski with a single to left field. The Wildcat offense was too little, too late as State’s Pursell retired two of the next threeWildcat hitters to record her 13th win of the season Sophomore pitcher Morgan absorbed the loss, dropping to 12-10 on the season.

Nikki Jones went 2-4 on the day to increase her hitting streak to eight games. Angus was 2-3 and drove in a run, while Kwiatkowskiwas 2-4 with a double.

The Wildcats (18-23, 5-11 SEC) step out of conference play when they play host to Morehead State Wednesday, April 11, in adoubleheader starting at 5 p.m.