The Kentucky State University softball team dropped both ends of a non-conference doubleheader with Salem University Tuesday at Lakeview Park.
The two losses put a damper on the program's senior day festivities as the Thorobreds celebrated the contributions of five seniors –
Jittaun Thompson (Pomona, CA),
Paola Flores (San Lorenzo, PR),
Casey Grant (Fort Mitchell, KY),
Jackie Zubiate (Riverside, CA) and
Natalia Bocanegra (Covina, CA).
GAME ONE: SALEM 2, KENTUCKY STATE 1
A two-out RBI double in the third inning provided the margin of defeat as the Thorobreds dropped the opener, 2-1.
Kentucky State took the early lead in the bottom of the first on a single by Thompson, scoring Bocanegra – who opened the frame with a double. It was KSU's only hit with runners in scoring position as it finished 1-for-7, including leaving runners on second and third in the fifth and bases loaded in the sixth.
The Thorobreds finished with seven hits on the game with Thompson have the only multi-hit game – her 11th of the season.
Flores (11-13) surrendered two earned runs on eight hits over seven inning of work with six strikeouts.
GAME TWO: SALEM 9, KENTUCKY STATE 7
The Thorobreds committed four errors, leading to five unearned runs, in the top of the seventh inning in the 9-7 loss.
Kentucky State finished with eight errors which led to six unearned runs total.
Two unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning gave the Thorobreds the lead, but Salem knotted the game with single runs in the second and third innings.
Sophomore
Kailen Olison (Moreno Valley, CA) single home a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to reclaim the lead, and an RBI double by sophomore
Sidney Campbell (Ashland, KY) added to the advantage.
The Thorobreds tacked on another tally in the fourth inning to push the lead to 6-2.
Kentucky State finished with eight hits as junior
Sasha Allen went 2-for-4, her 10th multi-hit game of the season. She was the lone KSU player with multiple hits.
Grant (2-6) allowed nine runs (three earned) on 14 hits over seven innings of work.
Kentucky State (18-23) travels to Miles College for a crucial three-game series. The Thorobreds must win one of the three games to qualify for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.
