Four-Run Sixth Lifts No. 12 UK Over MSU In Series Finale

Sunday, May 8

Lexington, Ky.

12:00 PM

Mississippi State

25-30, 0

#12 Kentucky

43-11, 0

Mississippi State

Kentucky

Four-Run Sixth Lifts No. 12 UK Over MSU In Series Finale

May 08, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

LEXINGTON, Ky. – After five and a half scoreless innings to open the game, the Mississippi State softball team (25-30, 3-21 SEC) allowed four in the sixth before falling 4-0 to No. 12 Kentucky (43-11, 17-7 SEC) Sunday at John Cropp Stadium.

A Southeastern Conference series that saw pitching and defense reign supreme, the Bulldogs were unable to outscore the Wildcats in the final SEC game of the regular season for both sides.

“Our pitching was thriving for a large majority of the weekend, but we weren't able to put a full game together,” MSU head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We have a big week ahead of us and that will be our focus.”

The pitcher's duel theme of the weekend continued in the final game of the series as both sides kept opposing hitters in control and scoreless through the game's first five and a half innings.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats ended the scoring drought with an infield chopper that allowed all runners to be safe as UK went on top 1-0. The inning continued as Wildcat pitcher Kelsey Nunley helped her own cause with a two-run single through the right side to put her side ahead 3-0. Another run came across to give the home team a 4-0 advantage courtesy of three hits and one error in the inning.

Down to their final three outs, the Bulldogs were unable to draw any closer as UK completed the series sweep.

Nunley (20-5) collected the complete-game victory for the Wildcats, surrendering five hits and striking out eight.

Sophomore Cassady Knudsen (3-1) suffered the loss after allowing UK's first two runs of the game on one hit and a walk. The Altoona, Iowa native also struck out a pair in 2.0 innings of relief, succeeding junior starter Alexis Silkwood. Sophomore Holly Ward allowed the final two Wildcat runs, one of which was earned, on two hits in 0.2 innings pitched.

The Bulldogs have a short turnaround as they will take on Alcorn State, Monday, May 9 at 1 p.m. CT at Nusz Park. The game was added to give MSU a 56th regular-season game after a rainout from earlier in the season removed a game from their slate.

State will then open the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament, which it hosts, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. against Alabama. Full tourney info can be found at www.HailState.com/SECsoftball.

For more information on the MSU softball program, follow “HailStateSB” on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also find all-access coverage of the Bulldogs on SnapChat by searching for “HailStateSnap.”