LEXINGTON, Ky. – The eighth-ranked LSU softball team dropped the first game of the series against Kentucky, 4-1. LSU is now 23-3 on the year and 3-1 in the SEC. Kentucky is now 18-6 and 1-3 in the SEC.
Kentucky got on the board early in the first inning off Carley Hoover with a two-run home run over the right center wall and held off the LSU bats until the third inning.
Freshman Taryn Antoine recorded the first hit of the game, a single to left field. She would advance to second on a Kentucky error.
The Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the fourth after another home run.
The Tigers battled and had a chance to put runs on the board in the sixth. Antoine put together an infield single with one out and Aliyah Andrews followed with a single through the left side. The two advanced to second and third on a ground out, but the two were stranded.
The Wildcats plated another run in the sixth inning, taking a 4-0 lead into the seventh.
LSU answered in the top of the seventh as Michaela Schlattman singled up the middle to score Becca Schulte, but a Shemiah Sanchez ground out ended the game.
Hoover took the loss in the circle, dropping to 9-2 on the year. She allowed four runs, off six hits, while striking out 10 in her six innings of work. Kentucky’s Grace Baalman earned the win and is now 9-2 on the year.
Torina’s Thoughts
“Kentucky’s pitcher threw a great game today and competed well against us. We are hoping for a better effort for tomorrow. I am glad we showed some life there at the end and maybe that will set the tone for a better day tomorrow.
Notes
>> Antoine led the offense with two hits on the day, her first multi-hit game as a Tiger.
>> Schlattman, Andrews and Amanda Doyle each had a hit. Schlattman tallied the lone RBI of the game.
>> Hoover’s 10 strikeouts is the fourth game this season with 10 or more.
On Deck
The Tigers will take on the Wildcats for game two of the series Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ESPNU and will be available on the WatchESPN app.
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