Mississippi State
19-3, 0
#8 Kentucky
17-2, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Mississippi State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MSU Suffers Setback To Kentucky, 4-0
March 07, 2014 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning by Kentucky's Ansley Smith lifted the No. 8 Wildcats to a 4-0 victory against Mississippi State on Friday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
UK's Ginny Carroll also helped the offense with a single and solo home run as Kelsey Nunley became the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter against the Bulldogs since Florida's Hannah Rogers on April 5, 2013.
Mississippi State senior Alison Owen (8-3) took the loss and tossed all seven innings, surrendering four runs on six hits and did not walk a batter. Her 10 strikeouts gave her sole possession of third on the Mississippi State career chart with 351, despite just one-and-a-third seasons with the program. Nunley (6-1) threw the complete game, striking out six, walking four and hitting one batter.
MSU (19-3, 0-1 SEC) had the game's first base runner as junior Julia Echols drew a one-out walk on the ninth pitch of her at-bat in the opening inning. A foul out and fielder's choice left her stranded on first.
The Bulldogs had the contest's second runner as senior Heidi Shape drew a free pass with two down in the third. Nunley ended the frame with a groundout.
Kentucky (17-2, 1-0 SEC) tallied the first hit of the game and took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Carroll singled through the left side. Smith followed with a two-run home run to left. Owen bounced back with a pop out and strikeout.
Again in the bottom of the fourth, Mississippi State had a two-out base runner as senior Sam Lenahan was hit by a pitch, but a whiff ended the threat.
Neither team registered a base runner in the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, Kentucky tacked on another run with a two-out solo home run from Carroll.
Mississippi State put its first base runner on second base in the bottom of the sixth as Echols drew her second one-out walk of the game and moved to second on a groundout, but a pop out left her stranded.
Kentucky added its last run in the top of the seventh for the 4-0 final. Griffin Joiner led off with a single to left. She was replaced at first by pinch runner Sarah Frazer, who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a two-out single through the left side from Maisie Steed. Sylver Samuel followed with a bunt single and Steed tried to come around and score from second, but was thrown out at the plate to end the frame.
The Bulldogs had another runner on base in the bottom of the seventh, but could not convert. With one out, freshman Mackenzie Toler walked and was replaced at first by classmate Katie Anne Bailey. Bailey was called out for leaving early and a strikeout ended the contest.
The teams continue the series Saturday with 1 p.m. CT contest.
Post-Game Notes
- Mississippi State has not allowed a stolen base since the eighth inning against Baylor on Feb. 28, a span of six games.
- Junior Julia Echols has hit a team-best .367 in her last 10 games (11-for-30) with a squad-high five runs scored.
- Echols drew a career-high two walks in the contest.
- Senior Heidi Shape has drawn a walk in three-straight games.
- Senior Alison Owen registered her 13th game as a Bulldog, and fifth this season, with 10 or more strikeouts with the 10 whiffs.
- Owen has fanned 58 in her last 39.1 innings pitched.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nunley,Kelsey (6-1)
L: Owen, Alison (8-3)
Batting:
HR: Carroll,Ginny 1 ; Smith,Ansley 1
RBI: Carroll,Ginny 1 ; Smith,Ansley 2 ; Steed,Maisie 1
SH: Cumbess,Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Carroll,Ginny 2 ; Smith,Ansley 1 ; Frazer,Sarah 1
Base Running:
HBP: Lenahan, Sam 1
