The Kentucky softball team suffered its second Southeastern Conference sweep as it fell 5-1 to the No. 9 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, Mar. 20, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. UK has lost eight straight to fall to 12-22 on the year and 1-8 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide improves to 31-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

UA pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle tossed a perfect game until she hit designated player Amber Nix with a pitch in the top of the sixth. Pinch runner Kristen Cochran was caught stealing to erase the lone Wildcat baserunner of the day.

Starting pitcher Meghan Cooper was sharp on the mound for the Wildcats until the fifth. She stranded two runners in the first after each reached on fielder?s choices. She allowed just three hits over the first four innings and stranded all four baserunners during that span. The No. 12 Tide bats got to Cooper in the bottom of the fifth as they scored five runs in the home half of the inning to go on top 5-0.

The Wildcats had one last chance in the top of the seventh and Amber Janneck delivered a leadoff single to center field to break up the no-hit bid. Janneck moved to third on a fielder?s choice by Ashley Fertic and scored on a groundout by Jessica Nance. Cooper then doubled off the left field fence and Brooke Marnitz walked to put runners at first and second for Katie Campbell who grounded back to the pitcher to end the game.

Cooper took the loss to fall to 3-11 on the year. She allowed two runs on five hits over 4.2 innings of work.

The Wildcats return to action Wednesday, Mar. 23, when they host Marshall for a mid-week contest in Lexington. The doubleheader is set to begin at 3 p.m. at the UK Softball Complex.