The Marshall University softball team lost to the University of Kentucky Wildcats 1-0 Thursday in the final inning of action.

With two outs and two strikes in the top of the seventh inning, Kentucky shortstop Christian Jones lined a home run off Marshall pitcher Jordan Dixon for the lone run of the game to move the No. 15-ranked Wildcats to a 23-3 overall record for the season.

The Herd went three up, three down in the bottom half of the inning as it grounded out twice and struck out looking for the game’s final out.

Despite allowing go-ahead home run in her final inning, Dixon had a seasoned game allowing only four hits and recording four strikeouts over the course of 24 batters faced. However, Dixon said the lost was gut wrenching and she can improve her play going forward. 

“It feels very very bad to lose like this,” Dixon said. “I feel like I can always play better.”

Getting base runners was a struggle throughout the contest for both teams as sturdy fielding on each side backed up strong pitching.

Marshall sophomore left fielder Jordan Colliflower managed to get a hit in despite the challenging defense along with catcher Taylor McCord.

Colliflower said although things were difficult at the plate, she felt the Herd gave the Wildcats all it could handle.

“I feel like we came out very strong and kept up with them,” Colliflower said. “It was a battle of pitchers. We knew it was going to come down to that one hit. Them being a top 25 team, this is good for us; we’re going back to C-USA play against teams that aren’t top 25.”

The Herd will begin a three-game series with conference foe University of North Texas 2 p.m. Saturday in Denton Texas.

Danielle Wright can be contacted at [email protected].