By Nick Gray | @KyKernelGray

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Mississippi State used three UK errors to surge ahead in a five-run sixth inning to take the first game of a three game series, 8-4, Friday at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Sophomore left handed pitcher A.J. Reed took the loss (2-3), working into the sixth inning, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits.

The Cats fought out of the two-run deficit in the fourth inning when junior first baseman Thomas Bernal doubled, scoring sophomore third baseman Max Kuhn.

Bernal would score on a line drive single to left field, knotting the game at 2-2.

UK took its first lead in the fifth, when Kuhn drove in senior left fielder Zac Zellers on an RBI single.

Zellers got to second on a stolen base after a strikeout by Reed.

The Cats added another run when Kuhn scored on a Bernal RBI single.

The Bulldogs retook the lead for good with five runs in the sixth inning, aided by a dropped fly ball by freshman right fielder Kyle Barrett to begin the inning.

The most costly error came with one out, when a ball hit at Bernal took a bad bounce on a potential double-play ball that would have ended the inning.

Instead, the game was tied at 4-4.

An errant throw by Zellers on a single that gave Mississippi State the lead brought in two more unearned runs and pushed the Bulldogs lead to 7-4.

UK and Mississippi State play a doubleheader Saturday, beginning at Noon.

The second game of the doubleheader will begin 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

The games will be televised on FOX Sports South.