SALEM, WVA – The Kentucky State University softball team came within one out of completing a non-conference sweep, but ultimately, the Thorobreds surrendered six runs over the last two innings to take the split.

GAME ONE: KENTUCKY STATE 8, SALEM 1
Senior Paola Flores (San Lorenzo, PR) didn't allow an earned run and surrendered just five hits as the Thorobreds took the first game of the non-conference twinbill.

 KSU opened the scoring with an unearned run in the second inning, and sophomore Moana Pinner (Hilo, HI) tacked on two more run with a single.

The Thorobreds busted the game open with a four-spot in the fifth. Back-to-back singles by senior Jittaun Thompson (Pomona, CA) and Pinner brought home two runs, then a RBI groundout by freshman Olivia Saylor (Lancaster, KY) put another run on the board. The scoring was capped with an RBI double by freshman Olivia Steward (Salem, IN).

A couple of errors enabled the Tigers to score its lone run of the game, but sophomore Kailen Olison (Moreno Valley, CA) got the run back with an RBI single in the seventh.

Pinner finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI, while four other players – Thompson, Saylor, Stewart and Olison – all had two hits and an RBI.

Flores improved to 7-9 on the season, hurling a complete game with seven strikeouts.

GAME TWO: SALEM 7, KENTUCKY STATE 6
A two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning capped a six-run comeback as KSU dropped the nightcap of its non-conference doubleheader.

Leading 6-1, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Kentucky State yielded three unearned runs in the sixth and three more runs in the seventh.

Consecutive hit batters, senior Jackie Zubiate (Riverside, CA) and Thompson, brought home a couple of KSU runs in the second inning. Kentucky State added two more runs on a two-out single by freshman Katelyn Hurley (Elizabeth, IN) and a double by senior Natalia Bocanegra (Covina, CA).

Salem dented the plate with a single run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Thorobreds responded with two in the top of the fifth inning.

Bocanegra finished 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI, while Steward and Hurley each had two hits apiece.

Hurley (5-3) allowed seven runs (three earned) on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings with a strikeout and two walks.

Kentucky State (15-15) travels to Lane College for a three-game Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series beginning with a doubleheader Saturday.