CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Wichita State softball team opened its season by dropping two games Saturday in the Chattanooga Shootout at Jim Frost Stadium. The Shockers dropped a 5-2 decision to Kentucky in the opener, before suffering a 9-3 setback to UT-Chattanooga in the late game.

Kentucky 5, Wichita State 2
The Wildcats (1-0) drew first blood in the top of the first, tagging senior ace Ashly Bright for three runs on four hits, including a two-run triple by Annie Rowlands that gave Kentucky the early 3-0 edge.

Wichita State (0-1) answered right back. After reaching on a walk, Katie McGeeney scored on a sacrifice fly by Brittnee Barnett. Kiersten Dixon, who reached on a throwing error, scored on a Cynthia Verhulst double to draw within one at 3-2 after the first frame.

Kentucky jumped back to a 5-2 lead in the second. Leadoff batter Audrey Meyer singled, then scored when Megan Yocke reached base on an error. Yocke then scored on another error that allowed Audrey Meyer to reach base, Bright struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

The game became a pitcher's duel in the third inning as Bright allowed just three hits through the final five innings of the game, while striking out seven.

Bright (0-1) suffered her first loss of the season. The senior allowed five runs on eight hits while posting 13 strikeouts and just two walks.

UT-Chattanooga 9, Wichita State 3
Katie McGeeney singled to start the game, then scored when Britnee Barnett reached on an error to give the Shockers an early 1-0 advantage, but the Mocs struck right back, taking a 2-1 lead with Tiffany Baker's two run home run over the left-center field fence.

After a scoreless second inning, Chattanooga tagged WSU's Cynthia Verhulst for four hits, and took advantage of a Shocker error on their way to five runs, three of which came off of a three-RBI double by Michelle Fuzzard. After three innings, the Mocs held a 7-1 lead.

Wichita State added runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings to help narrow the deficit. Barnett scored on an errant throw by UTC's Tara Tembey in the fourth, then hit McGeeney in to bring the Shockers to within four at 7-3 after three innings.

The Mocs added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth before freshman Brianna Smet replaced Verhulst in the pitching circle with one out, and retired the side.

Verhulst was tagged with the loss in the game, her first of the season. The senior gave up nine runs on 11 hits in 5.1 innings of work, while walking one and posting one strikeout.

The Shockers will repeat the schedule tomorrow with a 9 a.m. re-match with Kentucky, before an 11:45 a.m. tilt with U.T. Chattanooga.

--Wichita State--