Fifth-Inning Rally Costs Kent State in 4-2 Loss at No. 10/8 Kentucky

Sunday, March 23

Lexington, Ky.

2:00 p.m.

Kent State University

14-12

University of Kentucky

27-5

Kent State

Kentucky

Emma Johnson

Photo by: David Dermer

Fifth-Inning Rally Costs Kent State in 4-2 Loss at No. 10/8 Kentucky

3/23/2014 7:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior pitcher Emma Johnson proved that her one-hit shutout of No. 10/8 Kentucky earlier in the season was not a fluke, but a two-out error in the bottom of the fifth allowed the Wildcats to complete a 4-2 come-from-behind victory in Sunday's finale at the Kentucky Tournament.

"This is a tough loss for us," head coach Karen Linder said. "Emma pitched a good game today. We battled against a really good team but have to do a better job of maintaining the lead late in games. I think this weekend should help prepare us for MAC play."

Sunday served as a rubber match between the two teams. Kent State handed the Wildcats its first loss of the season with a 3-0 victory on February 22. Kentucky avenged the loss by defeating the Golden Flashes on Friday, 9-2.

Just like in its victory a month ago, Kent State scored two runs in the first inning. This time, it was a two-run blast over the center field fence by freshman Maddy Grimm that gave the Flashes an early lead.

Johnson was in a rhythm to start the game, recording four strikeouts through two innings. She kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard until there were two outs in the fifth.

Kentucky's Christian Stokes recorded a leadoff single and advanced to second on a sac bunt by Ginny Carroll. Sylver Samuel was also retired on a sac bunt, but aggressive base-running by Kentucky was rewarded as Stokes was able to beat the tag at the plate after being sent home on the play.

A fielding error on the next batter allowed the inning to continue and Kentucky would take advantage. Lauren Cumbess doubled to put the go-ahead run in scoring position and Emily Gaines brought both runners home with a single to right field. Nikki Sagermann added a triple to score one more later in the inning.

Johnson falls to 7-6 on the season with the loss. She allowed just one earned run on six hits and struck out four batters.

Kent State (14-12) will stay in Kentucky and travel 25 miles south to play a doubleheader against Eastern Kentucky at 2 p.m. on Tuesday before returning to the Diamond at Dix for the opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play Friday through Sunday.