Knights Rally Falls Short in 9-6 Loss to Wayland Baptist

Small ball started the scoring for Wayland Baptist in the bottom of the first inning, as the Pioneers loaded the bases, before Berkley Bradley dropped a perfect bunt in front of the circle to score Reagan Davis and put WBU ahead 1-0. Kailee Sanchez drew a walk to score Mikayla Carillo, and back-to-back RBI singles from Kynleigh Kirby and Mikenzi Carlo scored Yaheli Jaramillo and Bradley to push the lead to 3-0, before a Lia Lozano sac fly brought home Sanchez to make it 5-0. Batting for the second time in the inning, Davis brought home another Pioneer run, as her infield single scored Kirby to push WBU ahead 6-0.

Kentucky Christian was able to load the bases in the top of the second frame, thanks in part to a single from Hannah Melton and a double by Abby McPherson, and Alexis Holleman drew a walk to score Melton and cut the WBU lead to 6-1.

Ariana Adams drew a leadoff walk to open the top of the third inning, and a Sara Bays single brought her home for Kentucky Christian, cutting the Pioneers' advantage to 6-2.

Lozano took a journey in the bottom of the third inning, getting on base thanks to a single and reaching second on a passed ball, before a Carillo single brought her home, pushing the Pioneers ahead 7-2.

In the top of the fourth, Madison Penrod sent the ball well over the center field fence, sprinting all the way home in jubilation and celebrating with a Texas-sized studded cowgirl hat, as her solo shot cut the WBU advantage to 7-3. 

Wayland Baptist responded in the bottom of the fourth, as Bradley scored off a Kirby single, before a Lozano single scored Kirby to push the Pioneers ahead 9-3.

The small ball worked for Kentucky Christian in the top of the fifth inning, as Sara Bays brought home Hannah Melton on a bunt, before a wild pitch brought Kylie Mathes home and the Knights cut Wayland Baptist's lead to 9-5.

Kentucky Christian continued to battle in the top of the sixth inning, as a two-out single for Ariana Adams split the WBU defense, scoring Alyna Ruiz and KCU trailed just 9-6.

Sara Bays looked to keep the rally going in the top of the seventh for the Knights, but Logan Schultz struck out her seventh batter of the game to end any sort of comeback, as Wayland Baptist held on for the 9-6 victory. 

Lozano led the Pioneers, going 2-for-2 with 2 RBI and a run scored, while Bradley and Kirby both picked up two hits and scored a pair of runs, with Kirby also adding a pair of RBI.