1-5
Kentucky
5-2
Cal Poly Softball Team Edged by No. 24 Kentucky, 1-0
2/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Mustang sophomore righthander Jordan Yates (right) struck out three and scattered five hits, but a fourth-inning solo home run by Kentucky starting pitcher Lauren Cumbess counted as the difference Thursday afternoon as the Cal Poly softball program opened play at the San Diego State-hosted Campbell/Cartier Classic with a 1-0 loss against No. 24 Kentucky.
Cal Poly (1-5) was held hitless during the opening two innings at SDSU Softball Stadium before senior left fielder Whitley Gerhart produced a bunt single to lead off the third. Sophomore designated player Chloe Wurst, however, lined into a double play during the next at-bat to erase any threat against Cumbess (2-1).
Mustang junior shortstop Kim Westlund reached on a throwing error from Wildcat freshman first baseman Maisie Steed to open the fourth before being sacrificed to second base by junior catcher Mariah Cochiolo. After sophomore right fielder Celina Lafrades struck out, freshman first baseman Breana West singled into center field. Westlund, however, was cut down at home trying to notch the game's opening run.
Yates (1-4) held Cal Poly's third ranked opponent of the 2013 season to two hits during the opening three innings before surrendering the solo homer to Cumbess. Yates, who walked just one Wildcat, allowed just one more Kentucky baserunner into scoring position the remainder of the day.
The Mustangs, who hit into another double play in the fifth, threatened once more during the top of the seventh by advancing two separate Mustangs into scoring position without a run.
West produced a game-high two hits to boost her team-leading batting average to .444 (8-for-18).
Cal Poly, 1-4 in one-run games this season, continues Campbell/Cartier Classic play on Friday, Feb. 15 versus Notre Dame at 1:30 p.m. and San Diego State at 8:15 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Cumbess (2-1)
L: Yates, Jordan (1-4)
Batting:
SH: Cochiolo, Mariah 1
Base Running:
HBP: Cochiolo, Mariah 1
Batting:
HR: Cumbess 1
RBI: Cumbess 1
SH: Joiner 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cumbess 1
HBP: Stokes, C. 1
