Box Score
Box Score (PDF)
LEXINGTON, Ky.— Morehead State’s softball team allowed only four hits to the host Kentucky Wildcats Thursday afternoon, but it was one big one that did the Eagles in at the UK Softball Complex.
Brittany Cervantes delivered a three-run homer in the fourth inning, and UK pitcher Chanda Bell struck out 12 Eagle batters as the ‘Cats handed MSU a 3-0 defeat.
Both pitchers, Alex Gjevre for the Eagles and Bell for UK, dueled without allowing a hit until the top of the fourth when MSU leadoff batter Elizabeth Wagner sliced a single to left field. Two consecutive infield ground outs and a strikeout erased any MSU threat, however.
The ‘Cats broke though against Gjevre in the fourth. An infield single by Natalie Smith led off the frame. Megan Yocke hit into an apparent fielder’s choice, but a throw from third to second sailed into center field for an error. Brittany Cervantes gave UK a 3-0 lead with the home run to straightaway center.
MSU had a great scoring chance in the fifth. Bianca Cardenas singled to lead off and was lifted for pinch runner Brooke McCartney. Bethany Ellis flirted with a home run but came up just short on a deep fly out to the left field corner. Courtney Seiler delivered a single, and then McCartney stole third to give the Eagles runners at the corners. Bell coaxed her ninth strikeout though to thwart the scoring chance.
Gjevre pitched five complete innings, allowing the three runs to go along with a trio of strikeouts. Her record dipped to 2-7, however. Sarah Funston relieved Gjevre for the final two innings.
The Eagles begin Ohio valley Conference action this weekend at Southeast Missouri. Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. EDT.
