Brooke Marnitz goes 3-for-3 in the loss

The Kentucky softball team gave up two home runs Sunday, as they fell to No. 18 South Carolina 4-0 Sunday in Columbia, S.C. Ashley Smith hit both two-run blasts to account for all of USC?s runs and two of the Gamecocks? six hits on the afternoon.

The Cats (19-20-1, 5-16 Southeastern Conference) got behind early, as Smith took a pitch from Meghan Cooper just beyond the fence in center for a two-run home run in the first inning. Cooper walked the next two Gamecocks (19-12, 8-10 SEC) before giving way to Gretchen Prugh after just 2/3 of an inning.

UK threatened in the third, as Katie Campbell and Lori Melchi led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Rachel Friberg then fired a shot to the second baseman, who bobbled the ball before diving to second, leaving Melchi safe at the base. But the call was overturned, leaving UK with one out and runners on the corners. USC got out of the jam by getting Cooper and Amber Janneck to pop up and end the inning.

Smith hit her second homer of the day in the fifth, putting the game out of reach for the Cats with a 4-0 advantage. Stacey Johnson earned her second win of the season with the complete game, striking out six while scattering seven hits.

Brooke Marnitz wrapped up an impressive week at the plate by going 3-for-3 Sunday. Four other Cats turned in base hits on the day, but only three base runners made it past first in the loss.

The Cats take a break from SEC action this week, as they travel to Morehead, Ky., Wednesday for a doubleheader with the Morehead State Eagles. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.