LEXINGTON, Ky. – IU Indy softball dropped a 9-1 decision to Kentucky on Tuesday evening (March 4) at John Cropp Stadium. The Jaguars move to 3-14 on the season, while the Wildcats improve to 18-4.
 
Kentucky struck early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take control. A two-run triple from Karissa Hamilton and a sacrifice fly by Carly Sleeman gave the Wildcats a quick 3-0 advantage.
 
IU Indy answered in the top of the second when Karley Kavanaugh launched her first home run of the season over the left-field wall to cut the deficit to 3-1. Kavanaugh finished 2-for-2 at the plate and accounted for half of the Jaguars' four hits on the evening.
 
The Wildcats extended their lead in the third inning. Hamilton delivered an RBI double before Sleeman drove in two more with a double to left center, pushing the score to 6-1. Kentucky added three insurance runs in the fifth inning behind a double from Peyton Plotts and another two-run double from Sleeman to secure the run-rule victory, 9-1.
 
IU Indy tallied four hits in the contest, including singles from Adeline Blackwell and Kinsey Pfeiffer to go along with Kavanaugh's homer. The Jaguars were unable to draw a walk against Kentucky starter McKenzie Oslanzi, who earned the complete-game victory, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
 
Clara Phariss (1-3) took the loss for IU Indy, working two innings in the circle. Kaylen Garland and Callie Dickerson also saw action in relief.
 
IU Indy will now stay in Kentucky as they kick off the Eastern Kentucky invite tomorrow, March 5.