LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Bellarmine University softball team took an early lead over No. 21 Kentucky on Wednesday night, but was unable to hold, dropping its first midweek game of the season 3-1 at John Cropp Stadium.
 
"I feel like we played a really competitive game tonight," Bellarmine head coach Caitlyn de la Haba said. "Selena stepped up and did an awesome job pitching, I thought Nicole caught a great game and I thought we made some really great plays on defense."
 
Despite a thirty-minute rain delay, the Knights kicked the game off with a run in the top of the first inning. Freshman Brooke Shewmaker got things started, reaching base on a fielding error by the Wildcats. In the next at-bat, junior Harlie Bickett roped a double down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position before junior Chloe Collins followed with a walk to load the bases with no outs. Junior Megan Konermann dealt the scoring blow with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Shewmaker from third and giving Bellarmine an early 1-0 lead.
 
The Knights held steady on defense, keeping Kentucky out of the score column until the fourth inning. Kentucky was able to scratch two runs across in the home half of the inning thanks to three hits, including a leadoff triple and RBI double, to take a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats added a final insurance run in the fifth to extend their lead to 3-1.
 
After striking in the opening frame, Bellarmine couldn't get the offense going again, falling 3-1 on Wednesday night.
 
Freshman Selena Zuniga got the ball for the Knights, making her second career start. Zuniga fired a 6.0 inning complete game, the first of her career, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and a lone walk.
 
Up next, Bellarmine will play four games in its home opening weekend, hosting University of Evansville and St. Bonaventure University Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10 at Knights Field.
 
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