Feb. 18, 2016 Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The USD softball team (2-4) fell to No. 18/19 Kentucky (6-1) 5-1 Thursday evening in the first game of the Campbell/Cartier Classic at San Diego State.
The Wildcats cracked the scoreboard in the first inning. After Tatum Schultz made a diving catch to start the inning, Sylver Samuel reached on a dribbler in front of the plate. She then scored on a double to the right centerfield gap by Katie Reed, giving Kentucky an early 1-0 lead.
Kentucky added to their lead in the bottom of the third with four runs. Following a Nikki Sagermann walk, Abbey Cheek tripled down the right field line. Cheek then came around to score on a Brooklin Hinz double to left field. The Wildcats would score two more on a two-out RBI single to rightfield, extending their lead to 5-0.
Two of USD's three hits came from Kailey Hill; leadoff singles in the fourth and seventh inning. After her leadoff single in the seventh, she was advanced to second on a fielder's choice and then to third on an error by the pitcher. Hill came into score on a Taylor Spence fielder's choice, ending the Wildcats' shutout bid.
Grace Hernandez (0-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in three innings. In relief, Megan Sabbatini pitched three shutout innings of one-hit ball.
The Toreros return to action at San Diego State Friday when they take on Texas Tech at 11:30 a.m.
