LOUISVILLE, KY – The Kentucky State University softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Bellarmine Tuesday in non-conference action.

GAME ONE: BELLARMINE 3, KENTUCKY STATE 0
The Thorobreds had baserunners in each of the first five innings, including runners in scoring position in four of the innings, but couldn't come up with the big hit to scratch across a run. Kentucky State was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the game.

After a leadoff double in the third inning, the Knights broke the scoreless tie with a one-out safety squeeze. Bellarmine added a pair of insurance runs with a two-out, two-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth.

Freshman Olivia Steward (Salem, IN) registered two of the team's seven hits. Freshman Janae Graham (Morehead, KY) had the team's lone extra base hit, a double.
Senior Paola Flores, 3-6, (San Lorenzo, PR) allowed three earned runs on eight hits over six innings with one strikeout.

GAME TWO: BELLARMINE 12, KENTUCKY STATE 4
Kentucky State jumped out to the early lead, but the Knights scored eight runs over the final three innings to complete the sweep.

The Thorobreds got to work quickly with back-to-back walks in the first, and senior Jittaun Thompson (Pomona, CA) drilled a double off the centerfield fence for the game's first run. Freshman Olivia Saylor (Lancaster, KY) brought home a pair of runs with a two-out single.

Bellarmine scored twice in the bottom of the first and second innings, and combined with a single by senior Jackie Zubiate (Riverside, CA) in the top of the second, and the score was tied.

The Knights took the lead with three runs in fourth and ended the game with a walkoff homer in the sixth.

Senior Natalia Bocanegra (Covina, CA) was 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored, while Saylor was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Zubiate and Thompson also tallied RBI for Kentucky State.

Senior Casey Grant, 1-3, (Ft. Mitchell, KY) surrendered 12 runs on 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Kentucky State (5-10) begins Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action 2:15 EST Friday, playing Paine College in the SIAC Crossover.