Bernard Extends Hitting Streak to Nine In Loss to Kentucky

East Lansing, Mich. – Host Kentucky put runs on the board in four frames – including two to walk off in the bottom of the sixth inning – to post a 10-2 victory over Michigan State on Friday in the first day of action in the John Cropp Invitational.

MSU scored in the top of the first on a throwing error, but allowed four to the home team in the bottom of the frame. Kentucky added a single run in the second and three more in the third to go up 8-1. MSU cut into the lead in the top of the sixth on Lyndsey Hooker's RBI single, but the home team ended the game early on a leadoff walk and a pair of RBI base hits.

Both teams stranded eight runners in the game, and MSU had a pair of errors to just one for the Wildcats – but that led MSU's first run of the game in the first inning.

Starter Jacey Schuler took the loss, allowing four earned runs, while Kentucky's starter, Sarah Haendiges, earned the win. She scattered six hits and allowed just two runs (one earned) while striking out five.

Kentucky, receiving votes in this week's poll, rattled off nine base hits to improve to 13-4 on the year. MSU falls to 8-8 with the loss. The Spartans will take on both Murray State and the Wildcats again on Saturday.

TOP PERFORMANCES

MSU's six base hits were spread between six different players.
Payton Conroy doubled in the second inning.
Sophia Grillo led off the sixth inning with a double and reached on a first-inning error that plated MSU's first run.
Britain Beshears had walk in addition to a base hit in the fourth.
Lindsay Hooker delivered an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning.
Jacey Schuler started the game and was charged with four earned runs to take the loss. Both Alyssa Galindo (2.1 innings) and Carsyn Cassady (3.0 innings) threw in relief, with all three pitchers allowing three base hits.

NOTABLES

MSU had its leadoff hits in three innings (first, fourth, and sixth)
The Spartans stranded eight runners – the third highest total of the season and the sixth time this year MSU has stranded eight or more.
Zoie Bernard extended her hitting streak to nine straight games with her leadoff single in the first.
Payton Conroy had doubles in each game for the Spartans on Friday, and has a career-best five on the year – she is tied with Bernard for the team lead in that category.
Lyndsey Hooker had a hit in each game on Friday – her first career homer in the opener vs. Murray State, and an RBI single in the sixth vs. Kentucky. On the season she is now 5-for-8 with four RBI, with a double and a homer among her five base hits. She drew her first career start against the Wildcats in the nightcap and extended her hitting streak to four straight games.
Kendall Smiley had a base hit in each game on Friday.
Britain Beshears was walked for the 16^th time this season in the sixth inning.
The Spartan pitchers walked seven batters, tying their season high (established against LSU last weekend).