JACKSON, TN – The Kentucky State University softball team split a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with Lane Saturday.

"We played well today," said Kentucky State University head coach David Morton. "Our pitchers stepped up and threw two great games. They gave us a chance to go out there to win. Paola had a great performance today, striking out eight. We had some key people out today, and we asked Casey (Grant) to be in a position that she is not usually in – and she stepped up big for us. Offensively, we got hits, but we just couldn't string it all together. Defensively, we played well. We were able to back our pitchers up. We look to that this experience into the next game."

GAME ONE: KENTUCKY STATE 5, LANE 3
Senior Paola Flores, 9-9, (San Lorenzo, PR) didn't allow a single earned run in striking out eight in seven innings of action to guide KSU to the victory.

Kentucky State scored five unanswered runs after Lane took the 1-0 lead to secure the victory. Sophomore Moana Pinner (Hilo, HI) drilled a two-run home run in the fourth inning, and senior Natalia Bocanegra (Covina, CA) had a two-run bomb in the fifth inning.

Senior Jittaun Thompson (Pomona, CA) stole third and raced home on a throwing error in the sixth inning.

A one-out throwing error enabled the Dragons to score two runs in the seventh, and bring the tying run to the plate. However, Flores closed the door with a lineout and a groundout.

Thompson and Pinner combined for four of the team's five hits.

GAME TWO: LANE 3, KENTUCKY STATE 2
Lane scored twice on a two-out bunt single in the fourth inning to give the Dragons the win.

Kentucky State took the lead in the bottom of the first inning on a single by Pinner and then doubled its lead thanks to a solo shot by senior Jackie Zubiate (Riverside, CA) in the third inning. Zubiate finished with two of the team's four hits.

Lane got a run back with a wild pitch with two outs in the third inning, and then added a pair of runs in the fourth inning.

Senior Casey Grant, 2-4, (Ft. Mitchell, KY) allowed three earned runs on just four hits in four innings of work with four strikeouts.

Kentucky State (16-16 overall, 7-5 SIAC) looks to take the three-game series with a single game 1 p.m. EST Sunday.