Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Kentucky State University softball team opened the 2019 season with a non-conference doubleheader split with Ferris State Monday at Lakeview Park.

GAME ONE: Kentucky State 13, Ferris State 4
Junior Sasha Allen's second homerun of the game capped an eight-run fifth inning to end the opener. Allen went 3-for-5 with two homeruns and five RBI in her Kentucky State debut.

Allen (West Covina, CA) opened the game-ending inning with a single, but was still there with two outs. Freshman Olivia Saylor (Lancaster, KY) continued the inning with an infield single, while sophomore Sidney Campbell (Ashland, KY) reached on an error to score Allen. A double by sophomore Kailen Olison (Morena Valley, CA) plated another run and a single by senior Jackie Zubiate (Riverside, CA) brought home a pair of runs. Another FSU error extended the inning for Allen's walkoff bomb.

After falling behind in the top of the first, sophomore Moana Pinner (Hilo, HI) gave the 'Breds the lead with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the frame.

Ferris State added a single run in the top of the second, but once again, KSU answered. The Thorobreds opened the bottom of the second with three straight singles, the latter an RBI hit by Jackie Zubiate – scoring Olison. Allen's first long ball, a two-run shot, pushed KSU's lead to 5-2. A two-out, two-run error in the fourth allowed the Bulldogs to pull to within a run.

Olison was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Zubiate was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Senior Paola Flores, 1-0, (San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico) earned the victory in five innings of work, allowing four runs – two earned – on 11 hits.

GAME TWO: Ferris State 11, Kentucky State 4
Senior Jittaun Thompson (Pomona, CA) had three of Kentucky State's five hits and its lone RBI in the 11-4 loss in the nightcap of the doubleheader.

For the second straight game Ferris State opened the scoring in the first inning with a pair of runs to take the lead.

However, the Thorobreds quickly rebounded in their half of the first as Thompson singled home senior Natalia Boganegra (Covina, CA). Two more runs scored on a two-out error to give Kentucky State its lone lead of the game.

Ferris State reclaimed the lead with three runs in the third, added a run in the fourth and capped the scoring with a five-run fifth.

Zubiate, who had KSU's other two hits, scored on an error to account for the final score.

Senior Casey Grant, 0-1, (Fort Mitchell, KY) surrendered 11 earned runs on 12 hits in five innings of action.

Kentucky State (1-1) returns to action at the HBCU Division II tournament in Acworth, GA. The Thorobreds plays Winston-Salem State 2 p.m. Friday and Virginia Union 4:30 p.m. Friday.